Trinity Sunday is the great hinge between the two halves of the liturgical year:

The incarnation of Christ, and

Our response of discipleship.

Though we are saved by grace [Ephesians], discipleship calls us to make a decision for Jesus.

“Choose this day whom you will serve,” Joshua booms to the migrants of Israel who are on the threshold of a new life (Joshua 24.15). Will you serve the Lord, or, will you serve something – or some one – else.

Biblical Binaries “this or that” call us to rigorous self-examination through clarifying images of trust and faith.

1) Saint John’s call to a higher kingdom begins the summer Post-Pentecost Gospel Cycle where we are called to be born of the Spirit and not of the flesh (Holy Trinity Sunday).

2) Saint Mark then fleshes out the kingdom, beginning with his parable of binding the strong man’s household. (June 6). God’s new household is centered not on flesh relations, but on spiritual ones.

3) Saint Mark continues with the call to trust the Word of God, which is smaller than a teeny-tiny seed, but grows to reap large harvests (June 13).

4) Jesus rebukes the sea and calls for peace, then turns to ask: Do you have faith, or not? (June 20)

5) Mark’s disciples are amazed at Jesus’ healing powers, but Jesus strictly orders them not to say a word. They are star-struck, but have no faith (June 27).

Jesus does not want disciples – then and now – to mis-understand his mission. He is not a magician with entertaining stadium tricks. Jesus asks that we stop our buzzing among ourselves about his amazing deeds, and start acting in faith with powerful deeds of mercy in his name.

More about discipleship in July.

Pastor Genszler