Meditation for Trinity Sunday
Collect
Almighty and everlasting God, you have given us your servants grace, by the confession of a true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity and in the power of the divine majesty to worship the Unity: keep us steadfast in this faith, that we may evermore be defended from all adversities; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever
2 Cor 13:11-14
Matthew 28:16-20
Reflection
Greetings and farewells
‘Greet each other with a Holy Kiss’, (in some translations, ‘Greet on another with the Kiss of Peace’), suggests St Paul. Jesus demonstrates His forgiveness and love to Judas, calling him ‘friend’, even as He is betrayed with a kiss. You may remember Pope John Paul II kneeling to kiss the airport tarmac as he visited each new country on his many travels. We term a resuscitation technique as the ‘Kiss of life’. An example of the traditional ‘blessings’ a kiss can convey is the belief that kissing a piece of Carboniferous Limestone while lying inverted over an 85ft. drop can bring the gift of eloquence (but perhaps not the gift of wisdom?). Kissing is universal, and not unique to humans – as Dolphins, Polar bears and many others demonstrate!
This has been a week of many kisses, greetings and farewells. It was lovely to see members of the defence forces returning from their peacekeeping tour in Lebanon, being hugged and kissed by their young families. As we speak, hopeful footballers from 48 countries are in the process of leaving for potential glory at the World Cup in America, with their supporters wishing them a farewell with the same displays of affection.
At moments of high emotion, humans across the globe demonstrate physical contact as a reassurance of their united love and support, bringing a sense of togetherness and commitment, recognising the presence of each other. In our worship services, especially in the Eucharist, the Holy Kiss of peace is a consecrated act that symbolises that bond.
According to Bishop Theodore, of Mopsuestia in 428 AD: Each of us gives the Kiss of Peace to the person next to us, and so in effect gives it to the whole assembly, because this act is an acknowledgement that we have all become a single body of Christ our Lord, and so must preserve with one another that harmony that exists among the limbs of a body, loving one another equally, supporting and helping one another, regarding the individual needs as concerns of the community, sympathizing with one another’s sorrows and sharing in one another’s joys.
Throughout the world, greeting one another with a kiss is a standard way of greeting – once, twice or more (four times in some regions of of France.) In our less demonstrative culture, we perhaps tend to ‘Share the peace’ by means of a nod, wave, handshake a hug or sometimes even a kiss itself in order to respect what we understand as the boundaries of a person’s ‘personal space’. It doesn’t really matter how we do it, so long as we understand the importance of what we share – acknowledge and remind ourselves that we are one in the Body – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – and we go out as that Body to make disciples of all nations. And as you do, may the Peace of the Lord be always with you.
Previous Posts
Praying Together 15th February 2026
Perhaps, when we pray, we need to remember it is the Jesus on the Mountain to whom we address our prayers, the one whose face shines like the sun and transfigures our faces as we radiate in His light.
Praying Together February 8th 2026
Is Jesus suggesting, not to eat and drink? And is he saying we should not wear clothes but go naked?
How unrealistic is this, and how depressing – we need to eat and drink, and we need clothing.
Praying Together February 1st 2026
Christ’s words are given to all His people in the face of the difficulties we ourselves face in life. We claim them and are assured of Blessing. And that is all we need.
Praying Together January 25th 2026
For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
Praying Together 18th January 2026
In prayer, we ask: Who is God calling to come and use their specific individual gifts to continue to build His Kingdom in the future?
His reply is clear.
“You”, He says.
Praying Together 11 January 2026
Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.
Praying Together 21st December 2025
Joseph’s example is one of love, human reaction, vocation and ultimate obedience to his Creator. So we rightly celebrate both Mary and Joseph as the chosen parents of the Christ-child. But we must also remember that they were ordinary people with human emotions who lived extraordinary lives.
Praying Together December 7th 2025
By your grace we have the gift of the Scriptures. With the help your grace, may we listen deeply to what you want to say to each one of us. May we know your gifts of endurance, encouragement and hope, so that not only our lips but also our lives may be a song in praise of your mercy.
Praying Together November 30th November 2025
The significance of the Themes and Candles we light during the Advent Season.
Praying Together 23rd November 2025
We celebrate the beginning of the story in Advent – but before we do, it is equally important to celebrate the final act of Coronation. The Gospel proclaims that Jesus is King.
Praying Together 16th November 2025
In ways, the Christian Journey is like a race – a Marathon, not a sprint. The key is endurance, Jesus says. There will be mountains to climb, tears and heartache in the depths of your soul, and it will sometimes feel like it’s impossible to carry on. But the world will continue, and end only in God’s good time.
Praying Together 9th November 2025
Every selfless act honours our Christ. In Him, we are one. Whoever we are. We are all His family, and violence against each other is violence against Him.