“Celebrate The Holy Trinity!”

“Celebrate The Holy Trinity!”(Jn.3:1-8).
Trinity Sunday is the first Sunday after Pentecost in the Western Christian liturgical calendar, and the Sunday of Pentecost in Eastern Christianity. Trinity Sunday celebrates the Christian doctrine of the Trinity, the three Persons of the Godhead: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a member of the Jewish ruling council. He went to Jesus at night. His nocturnal visit is the reason for the figurative expression “nicodemously” – which means to do something secretly, under the cover of darkness.
The reason is not clear why he went to see Jesus and it is not stated why he went at night. Pharisees interacted with Jesus by day and Jesus even ate in the home of Pharisees, so it cannot be that he acted hypocritically.
All he said to Jesus was to acknowledge who Jesus was. “Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perfom the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him.”
It would have been enough for Jesus to say, “Thank you,” and that would have ended the conversation; unless Nicodemus still had something he wanted to know. Jesus however declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”
This answer was baffling to Nicodemus in the same way it could have baffled any of us – except that we are already privileged to have read Jesus’ explanation.
Nicodemus worried how possible it was for a man to be born again when he is old? It doesn’t seem like it’s possible for a man to enter his mother’s womb a second time to be born.
Anyway, thanks to Nicodemus; his worry has led us to know that “no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit…” And that “The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
We would have loved to read conclusively how this nocturnal teaching enlightened Nicodemus’ worldview, but unfortunately the story ends in suspense.
Nevertheless, the story is used on this Sunday of the Holy Trinity to celebrate the doctrine of the Three persons of the Godhead: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, three persons in one God.
Nicodemus acknowledged that Jesus is from God to be able to do what he was doing. In response Jesus suggests that Nicodemus had this knowledge because he had been born again – even if he Nicodemus did not know exactly how to be born again happens.
Flesh and blood cannot reveal to a person that Jesus is from God, only the Spirit makes this revelation(Mt.16:17).
Inclusive in this discourse with Nicodemus is the most known and recited verse of scripture, John 3:16. In this verse we also see the Trinity at work. God who creates, in his love gave his Son who accepted to be the Redeemer in whom those who are sanctified by the Spirit believes and have eternal life.
As we celebrate the Holy Trinity, may we like the wind blow God’s love and our obedience to him wherever we please, let the world hear our sound, but not know where we come from or where we are going.
Trinity prayer: Father, Son and Holy Spirit we glorify and magnify your most Holy name. Amen!
Have a blessed Trinity Sunday! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.