Trinity Sunday, the Nature of God and Pentecost Sunday

Scripture: Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31, Psalm 8, Romans 5:1-5; John 16:12-15

Ever since I was a little boy I remember singing "Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, God in Three Persons, Blessed Trinity," and several variations later.

What does it mean, "God in three persons?" How can there be one God in three persons? Does it matter? 

Jesus introduces the frightened, bewildered disciples to the Holy Spirit - the Counselor, the Advocate - the παράκλητος (paracletos) -  which is Greek for "to call to be alongside us," by saying , "I still have many things to tell you, but you cannot bear them now." What did he mean, and why did he say that? 

There have been many treatises, sermons, analogies, and explanations about the nature of the Trinity. Read what Debie Thomas has to say in "The Trinity: So What?"  And Michael Fitzpatrick's "God in 3-D"

For a wonderful homily on Pentecost read The Rev. Canon Frank Logue's "It's 9:00 Somewhere. It's 9:00 Somewhere.