This Week from Mitch

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Trinity Sunday is one of my favorite Sundays of the year. We have a trinitarian faith in that we believe in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – Three in one, one in three. The Trinity is a topic that has filled thousands of pages. It is a topic that has tarnished the positive reputation of some truly gifted preachers. It is, alas, after all of this time, one of the great mysteries of our faith.

The mystery and allure of the number three have existed for a very long time. In ancient Greece, the number three stood for harmony, wisdom, and understanding. Other cultures used the number three to explain the importance of past, present, and future. From our childhood, we have heard stories like "The Three Little Pigs", "The Three Billy Goats Gruff", and "Goldilocks and the Three Bears", each one illustrating an aspect of the mythology around the number three.

Perhaps this mythology is part of why I find myself deliberately seeking out and thinking about the Trinity in my own life. My current "trinity" that I have been praying over is seeking a balance between a healthy mind, body, and spirit. As I have prayed and worked towards these goals in my life, I have found that all of them are better achieved in community.

I love to read and have learned a lot from reading, but I have come to understand the value of learning in community because my views can be challenged. When challenged I will need to defend my views, which forces an understanding or a correction when I am wrong. 

I go to the gym a lot. I enjoy lifting weights. Truth be told, I mostly go by myself, but deep down I know that I do better when I have the accountability that comes from a partner, friends, or the energy of a class. I pray, and I believe private prayer is important, but I also know that our spirit is lifted and our hearts are filled differently when we practice our faith with others. 

This Sunday we will baptize a child into our trinitarian Church. I pray that you will join us and allow yourself to be filled with love, hope, and joy, as we proclaim the mystery of faith.

In Christ,

Mitch