Readings: Deuteronomy 4:32-34,39-40; Psalm 32(33):4-6,9,18-20,22; Romans 8:14-17; Matthew 28:16-20
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My dear friends, do you know what a pep-talk is? Have you ever given or received one before? Inspiring words uttered to rouse up courage before battle, especially when facing impossible odds? One of the more memorable pep-talks I’ve heard, is the one given by Samwise Gamgee to Frodo Baggins, in the Lord of the Rings movie trilogy. Sam begins by speaking of the stories of old, where the heroes had many chances of turning back but didn’t, because they were holding onto something. What are we holding onto? Frodo asks. To which Sam replies, That there is some good in this world… and it's worth fighting for!
Similarly, on this blessed feast of The Most Holy Trinity, each of our readings presents us with a rousing pep-talk. In the book of Deuteronomy, Moses gathers the Israelites on the far side of the river Jordan, to prepare them to enter and take possession of the Promised Land. Knowing that they will soon have to do battle with those who worship other gods, Moses urges the Israelites to remember the mighty works God has done for them. So as to understand… and take it to heart that the Lord is God indeed… he and no other.
At the end of Matthew’s gospel, Jesus gathers his disciples on a mountaintop in Galilee. And, before sending them out into a world that continues to worship other gods, he reminds them that, through his own Dying and Rising, all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to him. They are thus to go forth with this same authority, to engage in spiritual battle, and to usher others into the fullness of life in God, Father, Son and Spirit.
The second reading too, describes something like a pep-talk. Except that it does not consist in mere human words spoken into the ears of clueless people. Instead, Paul writes about the gentle yet powerful promptings of the Spirit, moving mysteriously within weak but trusting hearts. Reminding them – reminding us – of our true identity. That, contrary to appearances, we are not meant to be slaves of worldly powers, but daughters and sons of God. Sharers in the sufferings of Christ, and heirs to the glories of his Kingdom.
Even so, one striking feature of our readings today, is that they focus our attention less on ourselves, and more on God. They speak of the power of God’s love for us, and for all creation. They remind us that we can persevere in battle, because we are continually being held by the gentle mercies of God, who is Father, Son and Spirit. In the words of that old children’s song some of us used to sing, He’s got the whole world in his hands…
Isn’t this the kind of pep-talk we need to hear especially now? As we face a world darkened by oppressive forces and infectious viruses of one kind or another, our readings remind us not just to hold onto the belief that there is good in the world worth fighting for, but to trust that, however dark things may seem to be, it is the Holy Trinity who continues to hold onto us. What must we do to take courage from this assurance, and to keep fighting the good fight today?
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