Dance

Feast of the Holy Trinity; John 16:12-15

In doing this, the Spirit will give glory to me, for she will take what is mine and reveal it to you.

Our entire extended family had gathered for the wedding of our nephew at an outdoor venue alongside a meandering creek on the grounds of what used to be a horse farm. Though the heat was oppressive, the atmosphere was joyful, and spirits were high all around. Even after the sun went down, the humidity stayed in the “ugh” zone. After all, this was July, and we were in North Carolina. But then the music started. Heat? What heat? Humid? Nah. Let the good times roll!

Everyone of all ages was on the dance floor having a good time, including a three-year-old little girl. Before long, she had completely upstaged the bride and groom, as everyone formed a circle around her, chanting her name and yelling, “Go! Go! Go!” She was oblivious to the attention she was receiving. She was just moving to the beat of the music, and was in her own little world of bliss.

Little children are like that at events where there is music and an open space to move. Whether it is a wedding, a band concert, or the living room, kids personify the saying, “Dance like no one is watching.”

In this week’s readings, we first hear from Proverbs, as we are called to listen to the voice of Wisdom. In his Letter to the Romans, St. Paul urges us to hold fast to hope. And in the Gospel of John, Jesus promises that the Spirit will remain with us. God is Creator, Redeemer, and Spirit, three in loving communion, pouring out love and life for all of Creation, including all of us.

This truly is good news. God speaks to us every moment of every day, urging us to reflect the love of God to all. It is the Spirit who is urging me, prodding me to honor Creation and follow the teachings of Jesus. There is God and our human manifestation of God, Jesus. The Spirit is God working in our lives. I worship one God, not three. God is God!

Another way to think about this comes from a tradition in the Eastern Orthodox Church. John of Damascus, a seventh century Greek theologian, used the concept of dancing in a circle to describe the Trinity. According to John of Damascus’ concept, the Creator, Word and Spirit are like three dancers dancing around together in harmonious, joyful freedom.

God is joy. God is love. God is mercy. I feel compelled to find ways to express that joy in a more outward manner, so that people know that I have something special. My soul is reverberating with the love of the Triune God. I want to share that feeling, and that presence with everyone.

Every Day.

© 2025 by Timothy J. Doppel

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