2 Corinthians 13:13

Stop.

Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths. Greet God and welcome God’s presence with you today. Take a few minutes to simply be with God.

Listen.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you. – 2 Corinthians 13:13

Reflect.

This line from 2 Corinthians may be familiar to you if you have heard traditional liturgy used in worship. We begin the section called the Kyrie with this line. “Kyrie” means “Lord”, as we sing “kyrie eleison” in that portion of worship, which translates as “Lord, have mercy”. But we begin that section with this greeting, recognizing that the Lord we call upon is revealed to us as a Trinity.

In 2 Corinthians, this line actually comes at the very end of the book. Paul chooses to end his letter to the church at Corinth with this blessing in the name of the Triune God. Because it’s one of the few places this happens in scripture, our church includes it in the liturgy we sing as we welcome the presence of God among us and ask God’s mercy as we pray and praise together.

We so often assume that God is a trinity; we don’t often reflect on what it might mean for us or our worship. In places like this one verse, we are invited to consider our relationship with our Triune God. If God is relationship, what does our relationship with God mean to us? If God has chosen to be known by us in these three ways, how do we watch for and experience this presence? While the Trinity is ultimately a mystery, how might we find joy in knowing God is other than us, mysterious and holy?

May this greeting from Paul invite you into deeper reflection and comfort today.

Pray.

God, you are my Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier. I worship you. I praise you. I rejoice in your love in my life. Reveal yourself to me more and more so that I can joyfully share you with all people. Amen.

Carry On.

If God’s identity is one of relationship, then God must value relationships. Think of one relationship you truly appreciate. Send a note to that person to tell them what they mean to you.