Psalm 66 is a psalm of praise. It is a psalm both praising God for who he is and what he has done and calling others to praise him. It begins wide, calling all the earth to praise and narrows down to the individual. It's a very fitting psalm for Trinity Sunday, as the call to the earth reflects the Father, the call to the church, the Son, and the call to the individual, the Holy Spirit.

In our eagerness to serve God, we often rush ahead without receiving what we need most—the Holy Spirit. After Jesus' resurrection, the disciples were ready to share the greatest story ever told, yet Jesus commanded them to wait in Jerusalem for the promise of the Father. Despite having engaged with the true story of our world, experienced Jesus bringing hope, had their doubts addressed, been restored after failures, and received the Great Commission, they needed something more essential than their enthusiasm.This waiting was necessary because the Holy Spirit is the active agent of mission. As Lesslie Newbigin noted, mission isn't something the church does but something done by the Spirit who changes both the world and the church. Without the Spirit, our efforts are merely human striving. Additionally, the fruits of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—grow through waiting and abiding, not through rushing ahead. When the disciples obeyed and waited, Pentecost occurred, and they were transformed with divine power that enabled Peter to preach a sermon converting 3,000 people in one day. The early church was characterized by being 'filled with the Spirit,' which changed their economic life, care for others, and gave them confidence even in persecution.

When we feel rejected, even by Jesus himself, we can find confidence in Christ's unwavering love. The apostle John's experience in John 21 shows how he maintained his identity as 'the disciple whom Jesus loved' even when seemingly overlooked. This confidence comes from remembering we are among the beloved community, recalling past experiences of God's love, and embracing the mystery of faith. With confidence in Christ's love, we can face rejection without questioning our worth, knowing we're hastening toward complete happiness in the One whose opinion truly matters.

One of the great post-resurrection texts is the very end of Matthew where Jesus tells his disciples what has come to be known as “The Great Commission.” Yet, what we see in his words is the reiteration of the great covenants of Scripture: The one true God who has authority, working through his people and their obedience to him to bring a blessing to his world. To be the people of God has always been to be a missionary people, a people who live in light of what God has done for them for the sake of the world and his glory in it. To go and make disciples has always been the way of our Missionary God and his missionary people.

Being a community of the resurrection, means that we are a (re)storied people because of the restoring work of Christ in the cross and resurrection. We see in John 21 that Jesus invites us into an honest assessment of our past - our shame, sin and family stories - a present participation in his healing work, and then a life and death like his. We are taken, healed and then made to be a cruciform and therefore Christ-like people.

Motherhood represents the epitome of sacrificial love, demonstrating vulnerability, persistence, and selfless giving that spans a lifetime. Through the biblical example of Hannah, we discover three fundamental aspects of motherly love: the deep desire to give love, the commitment to fervent prayer, and the willingness to sacrifice for others' wellbeing. Hannah's journey from desperate longing to sacrificial giving illustrates the transformative power of this kind of love. The Apostle Paul frequently used maternal imagery to describe Christian love and leadership, showing that motherly love transcends gender and biological ties. This nurturing, grace-based love persists even when unappreciated or resisted, reflecting God's own nature of selfless love. In today's world, where self-interest often prevails, this model of sacrificial care becomes even more vital for building authentic Christian community and nurturing spiritual growth in others.

The narratives of Jesus with his disciples after the resurrection inform us about what it means to be a resurrection people. Jesus meets them in their fears and in their unbelief and he speaks peace over them and shows them his scars as a call to believing in the power of his resurrection. His scars and his words are the very things they need and they are the very things we need if we are to be a people that bear witness to his work in our own lives and world that are so full of anxiety and fear.

Cleopas and Mary meet Jesus following their crushing witness of his death. They are hurting and don't recognize Jesus, yet Jesus' approach to ministering to them is that of a questioner. His approach demonstrates the importance of dialogue in our relationship with God. Throughout the gospels, Jesus posed nearly 300 questions, each designed to provoke deeper thought and personal examination. The story emphasizes the crucial role of Scripture study and understanding. When Jesus rebuked the disciples for being slow to believe the prophets' words, He highlighted the importance of knowing and engaging with God's written word. This can be accomplished through systematic Bible reading, verse memorization, group study, and regular meditation. Ultimately, true transformation comes through recognizing Jesus as the suffering Savior. The disciples' eyes were opened when Jesus broke bread, symbolizing His broken body on the cross. This teaches us that genuine understanding of God's Word requires embracing Christ's sacrifice and allowing this truth to transform our perspective on life's challenges.