The Festival of the Holy Trinity

June 6, 2004

"It's to Die For!"

The Rev. Dr. David M. Wendel

Saint Luke’s Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado

Lessons:  Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31;  Romans 5:1-5;  St. John 16:12-15

      I know that this might come as a surprise to those who know me, but there really is no chocolate dessert that I would die for.  In fact, I wouldn't give my life for any dessert!  While I like my desserts--who doesn't, for that matter--is it really worth--your life?  That's why it always strikes me as strange, when someone says, "Pastor, you've got to try this dessert of Katie Shwall's--it's to die for!  Now, really, I've had some of Katie's desserts--and they're very, very good.  I'd have to say they are tied with Peggy Byrd's desserts--for the Saint Luke's Blue Ribbon for desserts--but, are they "to die for"?  And while we're thinking about it--is there anything, really, "to die for", today?  Is there anything in our world, and in our lives, that is worth, life itself? 

     On this 60th anniversary of D-Day, we are reminded, of course, of the great sacrifice made by the hundreds of thousands of women and men of our country, who were willing to die for--freedom, liberty, democracy, and ultimately, a hard-won peace.  I watched the dedication ceremony of the World War II monument in Washington last weekend, and I couldn't help but shed tears, not so much, I guess, at the great loss of life in World War II, but at the thought that so many, were so willing, to make such a sacrifice--that so many were willing to throw themselves into battle, for the sake of something they believed in.   And I appreciated very much, that the ceremony, far from being only a reflection on those who were part of the greatest generation, also pointed to those of this generation, who, even now, this moment, are giving their lives, serving in our military in Iraq and Afghanistan, and around the world--service men and women who are willing to die for--freedom, liberty, democracy, and ultimately, we hope, a hard-won peace.  And these sacrifices--those of World War II, and those of our own war against terrorism, challenge us to stop and consider--what we would die for, today?  For those of us who consider ourselves ordinary, everyday people--for those of us who consider ourselves ordinary, everyday Christians, what is there, today, that is, "to die for"?  I certainly hope--we wouldn't, honestly, die for…chocolate, a heavenly massage, a day away from the kids.  I hope we wouldn't, honestly, die for…a new job, a good day fishing, a winning lottery ticket.  Most of us say, flippantly, "I'd die for…this, or that, worldly, materialistic thing."  And surely, we don't mean that.  But there comes a time when we should be challenged to ask, "But, what is there that I'm willing to die for?"  And maybe a better way to phrase it would be, "What am I willing to give my life--to?"

     On this Festival of the Holy Trinity--the Festival Day when we consider, especially, our wonderful, mysterious Triune God, it's worth asking, whether we are willing, today, to give our lives, to give our all, to God;  Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  In the order we use here at Saint Luke's for the Confirmation of our young persons, we ask, as did the Lutheran orders for Confirmation in the last two centuries, "Do you intend to continue  to live in the covenant God made with you in Holy Baptism?"  And the confirmand, hopefully, answers, "I do, giving myself wholeheartedly to God;  Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; following Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord unto the end."  That form, in particular, comes from the 1899 Book of Worship of the General Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church.  And though our confirmands say it--do they mean it?  Could each of us--would, each of us, say it, and mean it?  "I give myself wholeheartedly to God;  Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, following Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord, unto the end"?  My guess is we don't think, much, in such eternal terms these days.  My guess is we don't ask ourselves, often, "Am I giving myself wholeheartedly to my God, the Holy Trinity, following Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord, unto the end--all the days of my earthly life?"  When was the last time you really considered, whether you would die for your faith?  When was the last time you really asked yourself whether you are giving your life, for Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord--following him, wholeheartedly, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit?  We just--don't--seem to have lots of opportunities these days, to, literally, die for our faith--to give our lives for the sake of the Gospel.  But you know what?  The days may be coming, when there will be more opportunities. 

     Maybe you heard the reports about the terrorist attacks in Saudi Arabia week before last, when terrorists entered an oil compound housing complex, and went door to door looking for, according to some reports, Arabic Muslims on the one hand, and American Christians on the other.  According to some reports, even American Muslims were released or left alone, because the terrorists said they wouldn't hurt Muslims.  It was American Christians they were targeting.  Not during the Crusades ages ago--last week--in our time, in our world.  And though it may seem far, far away--the day may be coming, when each of us will be challenged, not in Saudi Arabia, not in Iraq or Afghanistan, but here, in our country, by terrorists--on a plane, a train, a bus--at a school, or in an office building--challenged to answer whether we are Christian or not--and will we be ready?  Are we prepared to say, "Yes, I am a Christian", in spite of the consequences?  Again, this Sunday, we hear Jesus speaking about the Spirit of truth, who guides us into all the truth--and the question is, this Trinity Sunday, will we, will you, stand up for the Truth?  Will you stand up for the one True God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit?  Would you die for, the Holy Trinity?  Will you give your live, wholeheartedly to our Triune God, following Jesus your Savior and Lord, unto the end?  That, it seems, is a worthwhile question to ask ourselves this Festival Day.  The Holy Trinity, has emptied himself for us, becoming fully human in Jesus, to die on the cross, giving himself completely for us and for our salvation.  If we were to ask God if there's anything He would die for, God would respond by saying, "Yes--YOU!  I died for you!"  St. Paul writes, "since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ…"  Because we are saved, by grace, through faith, in the saving death and resurrection of Jesus, now, we are called to respond--now, we are called to give ourselves, wholeheartedly, following Jesus unto the end.  So, I ask you…"is the Holy Trinity--to die for?"  Will you give your very life, to God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit--unto the end?  Are you giving your life--and all that you have and all that you are--are you giving your every thought, word and deed--your every breath, to our wonderful Triune God? 

     In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  Amen.