Sermons from St
Faith's
Talking of the
Trinity
Paula O'Shaughnessy, Sunday, 22nd May, 2016
The holy
trinity...how can we comprehend this? There is some
understanding, through our faith, in our hearts – of what
God's love means, within the Trinity.
Today's reading from Paul's letter to the Roman's speaks
of how the Holy Spirit has been poured into our
hearts. And how we need this. At times, our
hearts are hardened or are broken. How much we need
the Holy Spirit to bring warmth and life, and hope –
renewing us. Without this, we do not know life in
God, and we cannot bring comfort and love to others.
The next few verses in Paul's letter, give more insight
into the Holy Trinity:
For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ
died for the ungodly. Indeed, rarely will anyone die
for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person
someone might actually dare to die. But God proves
his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ
died for us. Much more surely then, now that we have
been justified by his blood, will we be saved through him
from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies,
we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son,
much more surely, having been reconciled, will we be saved
by his life. But more than that, we even boast in
God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have
now received reconciliation.
That we will be saved from the wrath of God by
Christ...That is our faith and our hope.
The justification by faith – which Paul teaches, is
understood to mean 'being in a right relationship with
God'. Being reconciled with God.
This may not be everyone's understanding of 'justification
by faith'. For centuries, this was interpreted as
something quite different. Romans 3:28:
'A person is justified by faith, apart from the works of
the law'
Traditional understanding was that the works of the law
were actions such as keeping commandments and performing
good works.
However, the more modern interpretation of justification
by faith as 'Being in a right relationship with God', is
something which we, as Christians seek – and hope to
achieve. This is a more helpful and positive
understanding. Being open to to the love of God, and
being open to sharing that love with others. If we
open our hearts, our minds, and all our senses, then God's
love may enter in.
I've recently had the most life changing experiences –
where I've had my eyes opened. As some of you know,
I've been studying modern languages at Manchester
university. There, I've met some of the loveliest
young undergraduates. It has been quite a humbling
experience – learning how some of them do voluntary work
with the homeless in Manchester and educating the poor
people who live in the mountain areas of Romania (without
the most basic amenities such as electricity).
It has reminded me of the need to reopen my mind and
heart. That I don't have all the answers or
necessarily know more because I am twice as old as these
students. A young girl described to me her
experiences working with the homeless. She had no
hesitation in wanting to help, though she could easily
have just spent time getting on with her own life as a
student at the university. For her, these were
people who she could not walk away from. Their lives
so real, so broken.
Walking through the streets of Manchester, the growing
homelessness problem is evident – encampments along the
canal, as well as the increasing numbers of individuals on
the pavements and in doorways. I even saw a child
(about 12 years old) under the railway bridge, alongside
the adults. I was compelled to give them more money
than I normally would. Where the wheelie bins
actually have warning notices on telling people not to
climb inside. It is truly frightening – to see it
all.
In John's Gospel today, Jesus describes how the 'spirit of
truth' will speak to the disciples and glorify him.
The glory of God and the spirit of truth are the hope for
all people. Where the world is indifferent to God or
rejects God, yet God's love endures. This is our
faith. Faith is so important, as are the acts of
love, in God's name. When our hearts soften and we
embrace life in God – where we share, where we see the
right path and take it. We need to constantly be on
the alert, to be open to God's love. Traditional
interpretation of 'justified by faith' – where 'works' do
not matter, cannot be God's truth. Let us pray for
faith, courage and steadfastness in this. To be in
right relationship with God.
