Trinity Sunday reminds us of the ‘community’ that is God. The transcendent community that is our Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

I heard in a podcast recently from Father Rob Galea, that he sometimes likes to refer to The Holy Spirit simply as Holy Spirit, without ‘The’ at the beginning of the name. Father Rob described this slight change in language as a means to remove the distance between himself and the person of the Holy Spirit. When you place ‘The’ before something it can be seen as something not close. If I refer to a friend or family member, I don’t say ‘The Andrew’. I simply say, ‘Andrew’. If I refer to Holy Spirit in this way, I am bringing myself closer. “Holy Spirit, be with us” sounds more personal and intimate.

Not to attempt to reword the Sign of the Cross but simply as a reflection tool, try this. Say the sign of the cross and take the ‘The’ away… “In the name of Father, Son and Holy Spirit”. It has a different feel altogether.

In the Gospel on the weekend, we heard the very last passage from Matthew, where Jesus reminds his disciples that he will be with us always, to the end of the age. Let us pray the ‘Glory Be’ prayer to remind us of the mysterious three-ness in one and how God is always with us, till the end of time.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

PRAYER OF THE WEEK

Prayer for the journey of healing

Almighty and loving God, you who created ALL people in your image, lead us to seek your compassion as we listen to the stories of our past.

You gave your only Son, Jesus, who died and rose again so that sins will be forgiven. We place before you the pain and anguish of dispossession of land, language, lore, culture and family kinship that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have experienced.

We live in faith that all people will rise from the depths of despair and hopelessness.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families have endured the pain and loss of loved ones, through the separation of children from their families. We are sorry and ask God’s forgiveness.

Toughen the hearts of the broken, homeless and afflicted, and heal their spirits. In your mercy and compassion walk with us as we continue our journey of healing to create a future that is just and equitable. Lord, you are our hope. Amen.

National Council of Churches in Australia (NATSIEC)