Holy Trinity

“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all!” 2 Corinthians 13:13

Dear Reader! This verse may be familiar to you from the end of worship services. We often hear it as a blessing, perhaps we almost recite it together with the pastor.

Paul mentions Christ first. This is not accidental. The beginning and center of the Christian life is the grace of Jesus Christ. One of the most important insights of our Reformed faith is precisely that we are saved by grace. The first question and answer of the Heidelberg Catechism confesses this: “I am not my own, but belong—body and soul, in life and in death—to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ, who with His precious blood has fully satisfied for all my sins.”

After this, the apostle speaks of the love of the Father. God loved us so much that He sent His only begotten Son into the world. God seeks us even when we drift away from Him. This passage proclaims today that there is a love that never runs out. There is a heavenly Father who never turns away from His own.

Finally, the apostle mentions the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit connects us with Christ and with one another. He forms us into a community. It is especially important to hear this today. People in our age easily close themselves off. There are many lonely people even within communities. We especially need one another, common prayer, worship, conversations with each other, and mutual encouragement and comfort.

Where the Holy Spirit is at work, community is born. May the Lord grant that we too find our place in this community! Amen.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father! I give thanks to You for the grace of Jesus Christ. Thank You for Your unchanging love that never leaves me alone. Please work in us and among us through Your Holy Spirit! Amen.