1 divided by 3 = 1?

The following is an article from the June 2011 issue Parish News for the villages of Clay Coton, Elkington, Lilbourne and Yelvertoft.

The month of June contains two religious festivals that often cause confusion.  The first of these on June 12^th is Pentecost (also called Whit Sunday).  The second is Trinity Sunday on June 19^th.  If the concept of the Trinity is confusing to you, know that you are not alone.  The reason for this is the uniqueness of God.  We have nothing that we can compare to God, and the idea of three persons that are essentially one is bound to be confusing.

Once when Jesus was talking with his disciples he spoke of “the Father”.  Understanding God in this way was not new.  There are a couple of Old Testament references to God as Father.  Also Jesus had taught them how to pray to their “Father in Heaven”.  But on this occasion one of his disciples said what a wonderful thing it would be to see the Father.  To this Jesus replied that if anyone knew him [Jesus] then they knew the Father, for they were one.  He then went on to tell them that although he would be leaving them another (similar) person would be with them – the Holy Spirit.

In other words the presence of the Holy Spirit would be just the same as having the physical presence of Jesus with them, and knowing what Jesus was like was like meeting the Father. 

Confused still?  Not surprising.  The only real way to understand this is to experience a relationship with God.  After Jesus had died, risen again and 40 days later ascended to be his Father, the promised gift of the Holy Spirit was received by 120 disciples (men and women) who had gathered in an upper room in Jerusalem.  They were ecstatic with joy and found a new boldness to share their faith with others.  Now the wonder of knowing the presence of Jesus with them had become an even more wonderful intimate personal experience.

When a crowd was attracted by the noise of the believers praising God and revelling in their experience they listened as Peter explained who Jesus really is and what they had experienced.  The crowd asked what they should do and were told they should turn from sin and be baptised.  This would then enable them to receive the same promised gift of the Holy Spirit.  The promise, they were told, was for all throughout the future who would repent and believe.

I don’t drink alcohol but I guess that to really understand the flavour and the effect of a good wine you would have to drink it.  As the Scots say, “Some things are better felt than telt!”  The Holy Spirit is the person of God through whom all God’s blessings come into our lives.  We might never fully understand it here on earth but we can certainly enjoy experiencing it.  And that is not limited to one or two days a year. 

I know just how you feel!

I thought it might be interesting to some if I post my monthly letter in the Yelvertoft Parish Magazine.  Here is the latest; I'll look through some of the past ones where the content might not be dated.


I think that one of the most annoying things that can be said to anyone going through a tough time is, “I know just how you feel”, when you know very well they have absolutely no idea.  What’s worse is when they proceed to list all their troubles!

Usually when people go through tough times they pray – even if they’re not sure they believe in God.  It might not be in church, and it probably won’t be on their knees, but at some time or other they are likely to utter, “Oh God, help me”.  Of course if we had a God who had no idea what it was like to lose a loved one, to be badly let down by people you thought were your friends, to be in fear of death, to feel at life’s extremity, to know extreme temptation, to be in financial difficulty, to be the victim of slander and lies, to suffer exhaustion or hunger – if we had a God like that how could he truly empathise with us in our hour of need.

But because God stepped into this world, bringing his divine nature into union with our human nature in the extraordinary person of Jesus, he does know what all of those conditions (and more) are like.  Not only that, but he spent his ministry responding with compassion to people on the margins of society.  Some suffered from dreadful illnesses, some had just been bereaved, and some were considered socially unacceptable for a range of reasons.  All experienced the wonder that this very special person cared about them and, because his love is matched by his power, their lives were transformed by that contact with him.

No other religion can offer anything approaching such a God.  Last month we thought afresh about the arms of Jesus stretched out upon a cross.  I want you to imagine those arms now stretched out to welcome you – if you will turn to him and come to him.  He promised never to turn anyone away who comes to him.  And if you do that you will also come to know those same arms lovingly wrapped around you – holding you safely through the toughest times of this life.