Contemplating the wonder of who our God is

This weekend, we celebrate Trinity Sunday. Our worship services will give thanks to God for the wonder of what has been revealed to us in the Holy Scriptures concerning who the one true God is: three distinct Persons (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) yet one God. It is a concept theologians have tried to fully comprehend and clearly explain for centuries. St. Patrick is said to have used a three-leafed shamrock as an illustration for the Irish among whom he worked. The lengthy Athanasian Creed was composed in the 4th or 5th century in an attempt to clearly articulate what the Scriptures teach about the Trinity, though that word is not used in the Bible. Along with the Nicene and Apostles’ Creed, the Athanasian Creed is considered an ecumenical creed, a statement of faith accepted by the Christian Church as a true statement of what Christians believe.

We will, as a part of our in-person worship services this weekend, use the Athanasian Creed, which is a tradition in many churches. Some might say that, due to its length, it is not made for public worship. I would invite you to think of it another way: using the Athanasian Creed gives us the opportunity to contemplate the wonder of who our God is – far beyond our ability to fully comprehend or express in human terms. Yet we aren’t satisfied to speak of a generic god, but want to know Him as He has revealed Himself to us. As Paul writes in Romans 11:33-36. “Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments, and His paths beyond tracing out! Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor? Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them? For from Him and through Him and for Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen.”