A New Chapter for the Body of Christ

Sunday, May 31, 2026 - Trinity Sunday

Jon Carl Lewis

LGBTQIA+ Person of Faith

Quote

“I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing.”

~Matthew 15:5 (NRSV)

Devotion

The Sunday after Pentecost is celebrated in many branches of the church as “Trinity Sunday.” Beginning on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, we have marked the life of Jesus from before his birth (Advent), his taking human flesh (Christmas), his becoming known to the world (Epiphany), his suffering and passion (Lent), and his resurrection from the dead (Easter). Forty days later, we celebrate Jesus’ “ascension” to the “Father.”

But this does not end the cycle. On the last day of the Easter season, we break out our red clothing and celebrate Pentecost, the moment the Holy Spirit takes charge in shocking ways to transform the many cultures and perspectives of the whole world.

The dwelling of God-in-flesh among us takes a fresh turn as God-among-us (the Holy Spirit) starts a new chapter for the Body of Christ.

Many of our traditions focus on the peak moment resurrection of Jesus. This is a peak moment in our story. And some remain with the place of the disciples, looking up to heaven as Jesus goes up, up, and away!

But the significance of the Holy Spirit is lost on many of us.

Even though Jesus tells his followers he really does need to leave so a new manifestation of the Divine can arise, filling the earth in a way he could not in his very particular, human form. I see Jesus trying to get it through our heads that—for God’s sake, folks!—worshiping Jesus is not the point: living with the Divine within and among us is the greater gift.

When Jesus tells us that he is the vine and we are the branches, he’s not just saying pretty words. He’s telling us about a sacred reality we experience in this very moment. The God-with-us is no longer Jesus walking around dusty Palestine. God-with-us in this moment is embodied in our communities of faith, in our personal time connecting with God, in the work we do with others in restoring and reconciling all Creation in Christ.

But Pentecost was last week. This Sunday celebrates a theological doctrine.

Where Jesus trained our focus on the kin-dom of God in and among us, the thinkers of the early church moved quickly to make sure we got the very important concept that God is three-in-one and one-in-three (where’s my shamrock?). Mystical thinkers see this complex identity as various aspects of God dancing with each other. I’m supposed to call that perichoresis, which is a Greek word for dancing.

I love the image of the three persons of God absorbed in a constant flow of mutual support and delight, yet it leaves the dance in the sky where we can watch, maybe marvel, and wait for Jesus to come back in the clouds and take us up there.

But Jesus pointed to the current reality, not some far-off vision.

We are the branches now. He is the vine now.

And his Spirit connects us with us the Divine flow, not as spectators but full participants.

Reflection

1.    How do I find myself participating in rather than simply admiring the life and work of Jesus?

2.    What can I do to celebrate with others the Holy Spirit as she is present in our lives and in the lives of our community?

Action

Ask a friend in what events they experience the Divine moving in the midst of their daily life and relationships.