God is mysterious. With this in mind, a few years ago the
denomination found a burning need to examine scripture to see what images the
Bible uses to describe the persons of the Trinity. It was released in a report
called, “The Trinity: God’s Love Overflowing.” They knew this was going to
raise some hackles, which is why they stuck very closely to what the bible
says. Here’s one example from that list:
As we are born anew by water and the Spirit, the Triune
God is Compassionate Mother, Beloved Child, and Life-giving Womb
(Isaiah 49:15; 66:13; Matthew 3:17;
Isaiah 46:3).
Of course the committee knew this, along with some of the
other images they discovered, was going to raise a ruckus. Feminine imagery for
God, no matter how biblical, is quite uncommon. I mention this because as a
“Father, Son, and Holy Spirit” kind of pastor, I need to remember that
scripture contains other Trinitarian images that are biblical and important.
With this I say, Happy Mother’s Day. I use this preface because
while we are used to seeing the face of God as the Father, God loves us and
protects us and keeps us like a Mother too. In Mothers we see the strength of
God. In Mothers we see life and life giving. In Mothers we see the face of God.
By the grace of God, we are blessed by our mothers. We are also blessed by a
Lord who (in 1970’s speech) is in touch with his feminine side.
The report contains this prayer—
In praising the Triune God we use biblical language, both
classic –
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
and surprising –
Mother, Child, and Womb.
We may use words that speaks of the inner relations of the
Godhead –
Lover, Beloved, Love,
and those that speak of the loving activity of the Three
among us –
Creator, Savior, Sanctifier,
Rock, Redeemer, Friend,
King of Glory, Prince of Peace,
Spirit of Love.
Happy Mother’s Day! God bless Mothers—for you show us the
face of God.
See you in church,
Paul
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