Trinity Sunday

   This Sunday marks the celebration of Trinity Sunday in which three  persons of the Holy Trinity—Father, Son and Holy Spirit are celebrated. Trinity Sunday follows Pentecost in which the Spirit is received first by the believers gathered in Jerusalem. In the Gospel of John, Jesus talks not only about the Spirit (who is also called the Advocate) who will come only after He goes to the Father, but Jesus also reveals that the disciples shall accomplish even greater things after his departure. 

   One of the hymns most often associated with Trinity Sunday is “Holy, Holy, Holy” composed by Reginald Heber while he served as the vicar of Hobnet, Shrooshire.  There are several uniquenesses to the structure of the hymn such as the length of the phrases and its rhyme scheme. However, one of its most notable qualities relates to its inclusion in worship services regularly after the death of its composer. While this hymn was written specifically for Trinity Sunday and was to be sung following the sermon, hymn singing was prohibited in Church of England liturgies. Apparently, Methodists and Evangelicals were frequently noted for their valuation of hymn singing.  

    The lyrics of the hymn herald the members of the Trinity, the mystery of Christ’s divinity and the sinfulness of humanity. The lyrics assist the singer in better understanding our Christian theology and the celestial hierarchy. As with many hymns, the composer of the lyrics and the composer of the tune are different people who were not acquainted with each other. The tune, NICAEA, was written by John Bacchus Dykes was named after the Council of Nicaea, in which the doctrine of the Trinity was adopted.

    The liturgical seasons of the year provide structure to the worship services and to the development of theological conceptualization. The anxiety that was experienced by the disciples is dispelled by the understanding that the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, is present with us for comfort, strength and power. Even when the disciples were no longer able to see Jesus in a physical manifestation, the promised power of the Spirit that was  received at Pentecost came upon them and remains with us forever.  

   Each Sunday, as we sing during the worship services, may the assurance of God’s presence grant us wisdom, courage and peace.

In Christ, 
Jon McCoy