Scriptures: Genesis 1:1-2:4a; Psalm 8; 2 Corinthians 13:11-13; Matthew 28:16-20
Reflection by Kate Winslow (PDF)
Holy Trinity Sunday Reflection by Kate Winslow
Sunday, May 31, 2026
Pearl of the Week
‘ . . . . in the end, knowing God is as elusive as predicting a firefly's trajectory over a field of hay after dusk, as futile as keeping track of a drop of rain fallen into the ocean in a storm, as blinding as gazing directly at the sun. But contemplating Trinity offers lessons in the dynamism of creation, incarnation, delight, genesis, the inter-relationship of being, of nothing, of everything, of darkness, of light. Image. Silence. And, again, nothing.’
Rev. Suzanne Guthrie
What is the significance of Holy Trinity Sunday?
What does it mean to you?
What are some sets of three you see?
symbolic of the unity of the Trinity.
We may eat three meals a day. That can be a reminder that holy Trinity Sunday is a feast day. It is one of the few feasts that are celebrated as a doctrine, instead of an event.
We study God, Jesus’s life and on Easter ascended, last Sunday was Pentecost and the Holy Spirit descends as a dove. “The Spirit intercedes for us, with sighs too deep for words to express. “Trinity Sunday is today, the Triune God, three in one, the Unity of the Trinity.
Braided River up north, Denali has many.
Woven together, like a braid. Braided River, braided hair, braided Sweetgrass. Our lives are woven together as community. We have various relationships with each other. Another member may also be a co-worker, and a mentor or friend. A mother is also a daughter, and a wife. Overall, they are the same being, a part of each other, yet separate, and their roles and relationships to others may be different.
“The Lord’s Prayer …The Aramaic original decoded line by line,” on Substack, on Earth Mastery, by Nabu, April 8, 2026
Abba and further meaning in Aramaic.
“Abwoon does not describe a static paternal deity sitting on a throne. It describes the dynamic, breathing, generative force through which all life continuously emerges into existence.
The most accurate single English translation is closer to the breathing life of all.” (Nabu)
To me, In other words, Creator. And oh, isn’t the Holy Trinity “a dynamic, breathing, generative force?”
The creator’s will, Jesus’ redemption, & spirit giving breath. Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer.
Three verses supporting the Trinity:
1. John 1:1: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” It establishes the Son’s deity from eternity past. That’s a verse I always contemplate on when I hear it.
2. Genesis 1:26: today’s lesson;
“Then God said, ‘Let Us make humankind in Our image, according to Our likeness”...
* ”Our likeness” What does that mean?
Father, Son, & Holy Spirit…. While the fullness of the Trinity is not explicitly spelled out in this earliest passage, it alludes to it.
And a bit later in today’s lesson, “He blessed them.” The triune God blesses us. Sit on that a moment.
3. Matthew 28:19: Today’s Gospel:
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” This verse presents a unity shared by three Persons.
Some translations say make Disciples, some say Teach;. We’re teaching people and we may be learning about the multi facets of God, and carrying the Word of God in our heart; however, being a disciple of includes not just learning, but also demonstrating love, grace, and mercy, and then teaching others.
This verse - Matthew 28:19- has 3 instructions:
1 Therefore GO
2 MAKE Disciples
3 BAPTIZE: in name of
1) Father,
2) Son,
3) Holy Spirit.
4 “And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
We search, pray and bless in the three aspects of God. We can relate to seeking the will of the creator of land and sea, we can relate to the made in flesh human Jesus who talked, laughed, traveled, taught, wept. We relate to the Spirit on times we connected more with God without knowing how, or had intuitions and deep understanding and guidance we cannot describe.
More Items of 3:
1. Sun, Moon, stars,
2. The 3 primary colors, red, yellow, blue… can make other colors from these, and limitless representations, as in paintings.
3. Terrific trio, the cellist knows the cello and the parts for the violin and piano, need all 3 for the trio. The cellist is not the violin or piano player, yet knows the parts. Need all 3 to play together for it to work.
A 3-Legged stool. Need to have all three legs to hold everything/one up.
The Creator or Father is of God,
Jesus the Son is of God,
The Holy Spirit is of God….
But the Son is not the Father, or the Spirit. The Spirit is not Jesus, is not the Creator.
*Side note: And if we are weary on our journey, we can trust all the components of the Triune God will give us what we need and hold us up. (Sit down on the stool)
⏰TikTok, on the clock, a second, a minute, an hour -three things the clock tells us. And yet each is separate and connected to a whole. The second hand is part of the clock and time, it is not of the minute or hour hand. Knowing all parts, components- gives us more learning time and encompasses more Diversity of learning style, and types of people. Getting to know God as father, son, Holy Spirit,
and the Holy Trinity knows us very intimately, knows how we learn, what we need, when we need it, leads us, guides us, loves us.
The Triune God who meets us in ways only the Holy Trinity can, knowing our learnings style, (3 key learning styles! Auditory, visual, kinesthetic!) God knows our circumstances, asks us to emulate… going out amongst the people, teaching, making all disciples, baptizing… Learning and worshipping, living out the love, grace and mercy, and sharing with others.
(Blessing at end: . 2 Corinthians 13:14: This blessing invokes the three Persons together, indicating their equal role in our life.)
Reflecting the Creator’s will, the Son’s redeeming work, and the Holy Spirit’s active presence in believers.
*The Triune God: Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer. To whom do you relate most to?
3 items around to remind me of the Holy Trinity,
3 rows of stained glass panels,
3 instruments,
3 circles on the edge of every pew….These are here to remind us of the aspects of God; Father, Son, & Holy Spirit are all around us, inviting us to contemplate the complexities of our “dynamic, breathing, generative” Lord.
The Epistle
2 Corinthians 13:11-13 suggests
It’s not only the unity of the trinity, but the desire for the unity of humanity. The Lord who is with us always, to the end of the age.
And completes the blessing:
(Finally, Put things in order,
1) listen to my appeal,
2)agree with one another,
3)live in peace;)
The god of love and peace be with you
“1.The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,
2. the love of God, and
3. the communion of the Holy Spirit
be with all of you.”