May 25, 2024 

Today's Reading: Introit for Trinity Psalm 16:8-11; antiphon: Liturgical Text

Daily Lectionary: Numbers 32:1-6, 16-27; Luke 24:1-27

Blessèd be the Holy Trinity and the undivided Unity. Let us give glory to him because he has shown his mercy to us.

I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure.

For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption.

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The Trinity is a hard doctrine to understand. It really hurts your head, doesn’t it? How can God be “three in one” and “one in three?” Wouldn’t it be easier to say that the Trinity is like an egg, or like the three states of water? While this might be tempting, it’s easy to fall into error about the Trinity. Many of the common analogies for the Trinity fall into unhelpful ways of talking about it that lead people down the wrong path. But let’s see what we do know about the Trinity.

First, there is God the Father. What do we know about God the Father? Well, the name God the Father gives us a pretty good jumping-off point. One, he is God. This is the God who created the Heavens and the Earth, and created you and me. Creation is definitely His department.

Secondly, there is God the Son. This is Jesus, and His work is super easy to spot. Jesus’ work is redemptive. And this redemption happens on the cross. When Jesus took all the sins of the world on His shoulders (yes, even the ones you have never, ever told anyone about) He paid the debt with His blood. Jesus is still among us too, at altars around the world every single day in the Lord’s Supper, the Shepherd dwelling with His sheep.

Third, there is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is a behind-the-scenes actor. The work of the Holy Spirit, like the Fathers is creation and the Son’s is redemption, is sanctification. That means making you holy. The Holy Spirit does this by giving you the faith you need to be saved. You received the Holy Spirit at your Baptism. The Spirit drives you to see that you need the Gifts of God, you need The Sacraments. He drives you to confess your sins and in faith receive the Absolution won by the Son. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

God the Father, light-creator,  To Thee laud and honor be.  To Thee, Light of Light begotten,
Praise be sung eternally.  Holy Spirit, light-revealer,  Glory, glory be to Thee.
Mortals, angels, now and ever  Praise the holy Trinity! (LSB 578:6)

-Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.

A Complete Guide to Christian Symbols . This collection of over 600 hand-drawn Christian symbols by artist and author Edward Riojas will teach you the extensive history of the imagery of the Church. Each symbol is a beautiful and historical connection to generations of Christians that have worshiped before you. A Complete Guide to Christian Symbols. Now available from Concordia Publishing House.