Embracing Divine Love: The Journey of Communion

Summary

Today, we gather to reflect on the profound mystery and gift of the Holy Trinity—a communion of love that is the very foundation of our existence. Though the Trinity is beyond our full comprehension, what we do know is deeply transformative: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are united in perfect love, and everything they do flows from that love. This means that our very creation was an act of love, and we are continually sustained by that same divine love. There is no disappointment or rejection in God; only an unceasing invitation to communion.

Because we are made in the image of this triune God, we are created for relationship, not isolation. Our deepest fulfillment comes when we love and are loved. Yet, in our modern world, we often use technology—like our cell phones—to hide from the vulnerability and joy of true connection. God’s intention is that we would live in communion, mirroring the love that exists within the Trinity itself.

This past year has been a living testament to that truth. The love and welcome I have received from this community have been a source of healing and transformation for me. In ways I could not have anticipated, I have been renewed and strengthened by your generosity and kindness. The journey we have shared, though brief, has been marked by a palpable sense of God’s presence and grace. I have witnessed not only my own transformation but also a remarkable awakening within this parish—a coming alive that only God could orchestrate.

As we prepare to part ways, I am reminded of the pilgrimage to Santiago, where the joy of reaching the destination is magnified by the shared journey. In the same way, our time together, whether long or short, is a foretaste of the joy we will one day share in heaven. There, all our journeys and goodbyes will find their fulfillment in the eternal communion of God’s love. Until then, may the peace of Christ reign in our hearts, and may we continue to live as beloved children, transformed by love and called to love in return.

Key Takeaways

- The Trinity is not just a theological concept but the living source of all love. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are a communion of persons whose very nature is to love, and this love is the foundation of our existence. We are never met with disappointment or rejection from God, only with the invitation to deeper communion. [01:00]

- Our longing for connection is rooted in our creation by a God who is relationship itself. When we isolate ourselves—whether through technology or fear—we deny the very purpose for which we were made. True fulfillment is found in loving and being loved, reflecting the divine communion that brought us into being. [02:56]

- God’s desire for us is not just duty or service, but joy. We were created because God thought we would enjoy existence, and our greatest joy is found in the experience of being loved and loving others. This is not a shallow happiness, but a deep, abiding joy that comes from living in communion. [04:06]

- Transformation happens in the context of community. The love and welcome of others can heal wounds we didn’t even know we had, and God often uses the people around us to bring about renewal and growth. Our journey together, even if brief, can have eternal significance and reveal more of God’s goodness than we could ever imagine. [05:07]

- Every journey, even those marked by goodbyes and sorrow, is leading us toward the ultimate communion with God and one another. The struggles and joys we share now are a foretaste of the joy that awaits us in heaven, where all will be revealed in glory and every tear will be wiped away. [06:08]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:20] - The Mystery and Power of the Trinity
[01:00] - God’s Love: No Disappointment, Only Invitation
[01:46] - Created for Communion, Not Isolation
[02:56] - Technology and the Loss of Connection
[04:06] - The Joy of Being Loved and Loving
[05:07] - Personal Transformation Through Community
[06:08] - The Parish’s Journey and Awakening
[07:00] - The Pilgrimage Analogy: Journeying Together
[08:18] - A Poem of Gratitude and Farewell
[09:00] - Seeking Forgiveness and Offering Thanks
[10:00] - Blessing and Final Words

Study Guide

Small Group Bible Study Guide: Living in the Love of the Trinity

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### Bible Reading

1. Genesis 1:26-27
*Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness…” So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.*

2. John 17:20-23
*“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”*

3. Ephesians 3:20-21
*Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.*

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### Observation Questions

1. According to Genesis 1:26-27, what does it mean that we are made in the image of God? How does the use of “us” and “our” in this passage hint at the Trinity?
2. In John 17:20-23, what is Jesus praying for his followers? What kind of unity is he describing?
3. The sermon mentioned that God cannot be disappointed or reject us, but only invites us into deeper communion. What examples did the pastor give to illustrate this? [01:00]
4. The pastor shared about how technology, like cell phones, can sometimes lead us into isolation instead of connection. What observations did he make about this? [02:56]

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### Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says that God created us out of love and for love, reflecting the Trinity’s own relationship. What does this suggest about the purpose of human relationships? [01:46]
2. Jesus prays for unity among his followers “as we are one” (John 17:22). What does it mean for us to reflect the unity of the Trinity in our own relationships?
3. The pastor described his own transformation through the love and welcome of the community. How does this connect to the idea that God often uses people around us to bring about healing and renewal? [05:07]
4. The analogy of the pilgrimage to Santiago was used to describe our journey together as a church. What does this analogy teach us about the value of shared experiences and even goodbyes? [06:08]

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### Application Questions

1. The sermon challenges us to move from isolation to connection, especially in a world full of distractions like technology. Is there a specific way you tend to hide or isolate yourself from others? What is one step you could take this week to move toward deeper connection? [02:56]
2. The pastor said, “God doesn’t have the ability to be disappointed in you.” How does this truth challenge or encourage you in your relationship with God? Are there areas where you still feel afraid of God’s rejection? [01:00]
3. Think about a time when you experienced healing or transformation through the love of others in this community. How did that experience reflect God’s love for you? Is there someone you feel called to reach out to or welcome this week? [05:07]
4. The sermon mentioned that our greatest joy is found in loving and being loved, not just in serving or doing our duty. Are there ways you have been focusing more on “doing” for God rather than “being” with God and others? What might it look like to shift your focus? [04:06]
5. The pastor described the journey of the parish as a “coming alive” and a foretaste of heaven. In what ways have you seen God at work in our community recently? How can you participate in building up this sense of communion?
6. The analogy of the pilgrimage reminds us that every journey, even those with sorrow and goodbyes, is leading us toward ultimate communion with God. Is there a goodbye or loss you are grieving right now? How can you invite God and others into that process? [06:08]
7. The pastor asked for forgiveness for times he may have failed or fallen short. Is there someone in your life you need to forgive, or from whom you need to seek forgiveness, in order to experience deeper communion? [08:18]

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Closing Prayer:
Invite the group to pray for a deeper experience of God’s love, for courage to step into authentic relationships, and for the grace to reflect the unity and joy of the Trinity in all their interactions this week.

Devotional

Day 1: The Trinity is a Divine Communion of Love
The Holy Trinity is the greatest mystery of our faith, yet what we do know is that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit exist in a perfect communion of love. This love is not abstract or distant; it is the very foundation of our existence. God cannot act outside of love—He cannot be disappointed in you, nor can He turn away from you because of your sinfulness. Every action of the Trinity is rooted in love, and when God created you, it was an act of pure, unified love. You were made by love, for love, and to live in the unity that reflects the very heart of God. [01:00]

Matthew 3:16-17 (ESV)
And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

Reflection: In what ways do you struggle to believe that God’s love for you is unwavering and unconditional? How might embracing the truth of the Trinity’s love change the way you see yourself today?


Day 2: We Are Made for Communion, Not Isolation
Because we are created in the image of the Triune God—a communion of persons—we are made for relationship and connection, not for isolation. Modern life, especially through technology like cell phones, can tempt us to withdraw and hide from others, but our deepest fulfillment comes from loving and being loved. God invites us to step out of isolation and into authentic relationships, mirroring the divine communion for which we were created. [02:56]

Genesis 2:18 (ESV)
Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.”

Reflection: Is there a relationship in your life where you have been hiding or withdrawing? What is one step you can take today to move toward deeper connection and communion with others?


Day 3: God’s Plans for Us Exceed What We Can Imagine
God’s love and generosity are so abundant that what He desires to do in our lives is far greater than anything we could ever think, hope, or imagine. When we open ourselves to His love and the love of others, we experience transformation, healing, and renewal beyond our expectations. Even in times of sorrow or transition, God is at work, bringing about more good than we could anticipate. [05:07]

Ephesians 3:20-21 (ESV)
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Reflection: Where in your life do you need to trust that God’s plans are greater than your own? How can you open your heart to receive the unexpected ways He wants to bless and transform you?


Day 4: Our Journey Together Leads Us Toward Heaven
Life is a pilgrimage, and the relationships we form along the way are part of our journey toward the ultimate communion with God in heaven. The joys, sorrows, and even the goodbyes we experience are woven into a greater story that will one day be revealed in its fullness. The hope of heaven is that we will be reunited with those we have journeyed with, celebrating together the grace and mercy that brought us home. [06:08]

Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV)
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Reflection: Who are the people God has placed on your journey toward heaven? How can you encourage or thank one of them today for walking alongside you?


Day 5: Living in the Light and Peace of Christ
Through the love and forgiveness we receive and extend, we are continually being remade and transformed. Even in our imperfections, God’s peace—beyond all understanding—can reign in our hearts and minds. We are called to live as beloved children of God, letting His light and peace guide us, trusting that only in heaven will the full glory of our journey be revealed. [08:18]

Philippians 4:7 (ESV)
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to invite the peace of Christ to reign today? How can you let go of anxiety or regret and trust in His transforming love?

Quotes

They don't have the ability to be disappointed in you. They don't have the ability to be upset. They don't have the ability to get, to look at your sinfulness and say, nah, it's not worth my time. God doesn't have that ability because he is a triune, triune God of love. [00:01:00] (00:00:25 seconds) Edit Clip

And when the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit do something, they do it in love. And so when they thought that you should exist, well, you were made in love. Amen? You weren't made in any other way except in the unity of love by God for God and him alone. [00:01:25] (00:00:21 seconds) Edit Clip

But because I was made by a communion of persons in love, it means that's the end for me too. That I am made for a communion of persons in love. It's why we're not made for isolation. [00:01:46] (00:00:17 seconds) Edit Clip

And so when I was created, God created me and he made me in love. Do you know the Baltimore Catechism? Any Baltimore Catechism people in here? Woo! Yeah! Old timers! All right! What does it say? Why were you created? To know, love, and serve God in this life and to be happy with him in the next. [00:03:32] (00:00:18 seconds) Edit Clip

The African Catechism, when it came out, says, why were you created? Because God thought you'd enjoy it. Isn't that great? He thought you'd enjoy it. Why did God create you? Because he thought you would enjoy it. Just to enjoy being. [00:03:50] (00:00:16 seconds) Edit Clip

But I have seen in myself, I have been transformed, healed, and renewed in ten months in a way I didn't know was possible. And I didn't, like in the scriptures it says, we, like what God has for us is more than we could ever think, hope, or imagine. [00:04:26] (00:00:19 seconds) Edit Clip

That one day you and I God willing by his grace and his mercy not by any merit of our own we'll come to the cathedral of cathedrals and we'll come up to that the pearly gates and we're going to see other people that we walked with whether it was for 10 months whether it was for five years or 30 years or 60 years or 100 years and we're going to see we're going to see each other and we're going to be like whoa we made it we did it hallelujah and it was hard and it was difficult and we had to say goodbye at some points but we did it by God's grace and his mercy we made it and there will be no sadness there and we just get to behold the glory of God amen. [00:07:15] (00:00:40 seconds) Edit Clip

when you needed me to be more or give more than I could be or give in that moment please forgive me thank you beloved for your forgiveness last but not least thank you father browning you saw me and you loved me you held me figurativelyin moments of great trial and together we walked in the presence of god you image christ so well priest shepherd friend to each of you I say thank you you have been raised from death and that power has no no more hold upon you live beloved in the life in the light of jesus christ only in heaven will this year's journey be revealed in all its glory may the peace of christ which is beyond comprehension and understanding reign in your hearts and your minds names amen [00:09:20] (00:00:28 seconds) Edit Clip