Reflection on the Word in our Worship
J.I. Packer on the Trinity:
The Old Testament constantly insists that there is only one God, the self-revealed Creator, who must be worshiped and loved exclusively. The New Testament agrees but speaks of three personal agents, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, working together in the manner of a team to bring about salvation. The historic formulation of the Trinity (derived from the Latin word trinitas, meaning "threeness") seeks to circumscribe and safeguard this mystery (not explain it; that is beyond us), and it confronts us with perhaps the most difficult thought that the human mind has ever been asked to handle. It is not easy; but it is true. ... The practical importance of the doctrine of the Trinity is that it requires us to pay equal attention, and give equal honor, to all three persons in the unity of their gracious ministry to us. That ministry is the subject matter of the gospel, which, as Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus [in John 3] shows, cannot be stated without bringing in their distinct roles in God's plan of grace. All non-Trinitarian formulations of the Christian message are by biblical standards inadequate and indeed fundamentally false, and will naturally tend to pull Christian lives out of shape.
-Concise Theology, pp. 40, 42
The Collect of the Week
Almighty and everlasting God, you have given to us your servants grace, by the confession of a true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and in the power of your divine Majesty to worship the Unity: Keep us steadfast in this faith and worship, and bring us at last to see you in your one and eternal glory, O Father; who with the Son and the Holy Spirit live and reign, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Word:
(Click on the links below to read Sunday's passages)
Old Testament Lesson: Exodus 3:1-6
Psalm 93 (after the playlist below)
New Testament Lesson: Romans 8:12-17
Gospel Lesson: John 3:1-16
A downloadable Home Liturgy with Spiritual Communion follows the Psalm
(click below to listen to Incarnation's Playlist)
Psalm 93
1 The Lord is King and has put on glorious apparel; *
the Lord has put on his apparel and girded himself with strength.
2 He has made the round world so sure *
that it cannot be moved.
3 Ever since the world began, your throne has been established; *
you are from everlasting.
4 The floods have risen, O Lord; the floods have lifted up their voice; *
the floods have lifted up their waves.
5 Mightier than the sound of many waters, mightier than the waves of the sea, *
the Lord who dwells on high is mightier.
6 Your testimonies, O Lord, are very sure; *
holiness adorns your house for ever.
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