Of Faith in the Holy Trinity: There is but one living and true God, everlasting, without body, parts, or passions; of infinite power, wisdom, and goodness; the Maker, and Preserver of all things both visible and invisible. And in unity of this Godhead there be three Persons of one substance, power, and eternity; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Articles of Religion, #1, The Anglican Church of Canada. 

The term is from the Latin tri, “three,” and unitas, “unity.” The term was devised by Tertullian to express the mystery of the unity-in-diversity of God. Trinity means “threefold unity.” 

The Trinity is a perfect relationship of love in which neither unity nor distinctness of the divine persons is compromised. God’s life is understood to be dynamic, loving, and available to be shared in relationship with humanity for salvation. 

In our gospel from John 3:1-17, Nicodemus knows that there is just something about Jesus. The idea of rebirth is not new with Jesus. God is the primary player in this passage – the action is God’s. Our response is to believe in Jesus as Lord and saviour to have “eternal life”. 

If it was necessary for God to send the Son to save the world, it must be that God so love the world so much. God’s goal is to restore and save the world God created. 

Is there a part of your own faith journey that you look back on and gently, remind yourself of God’s saving love to you? It’s hard for all of us to get our heads wrapped around God’s infinite love, and we all get sidetracked or scrambled. Can you picture God—our infinitely loving father—smiling at you as you try to puzzle it out? From the Anglican Church of Canada and Sermons that Work.

Prayer: God of Mission, who alone brings growth to your church,
Send your Holy Spirit to give Vision to our planning, Wisdom to our actions And power to our witness. Help our church grow in numbers, In spiritual commitment to you, And in service to our local community, Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Thanks to Jane Keedwell, Christ the Redeemer Parish, for sharing this prayer.