23.05.2016
‘Our Triune God is Central to Our Message of Hope” – Trinity Sunday Cathedral Eucharist Hears
Christ Church Cathedral was full on Trinity Sunday (May 22) as Friends of the Cathedral gathered to celebrate at its Patronal Service. As well as focusing on the life of the cathedral and what the cathedral does, the preacher, the Dean of Cork, the Very Revd Nigel Dunne, took the opportunity to reflect on God’s being and the mystery of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
The service was celebrated by Archbishop Michael Jackson and members of the cathedral community took part. The Friends of Christ Church Cathedral held their annual Patronal Day Lunch in the Crypt afterwards and this was followed by their AGM.
In his sermon, Dean Dunne said Trinity Sunday was a time to focus on God’s being rather than on God’s doing. “It is a matter of who God is rather than what He as done.” He suggested. “Every Christian disciple must reflect on who God is. We can safely begin with scripture which will present us with various images of God.”
The Dean of Cork said that in scripture there were many images of God as someone who loves unconditionally, is inclusive, who knows the joy and suffering of human existence. We can find God who suffered, died and was redeemed for us, who never deserts us, who seeks to guide us and keep us. He added that we could also find a God of wisdom.
Christ Church Cathedral had stood, in various forms, as a testament to the wisdom of God for almost 1,000 years, he said. He suggested that in the cathedral, as in other cathedrals, several questions had arisen over the last few years. These questions related to the welcome of people; how to cater for regular worshippers and enquirers; how to strike a balance between being a living, breathing place of worship in the midst of tens of thousands of visitors; and how to engage with social issues in their vicinity.
“As people who know the love of God to be unconditional, His love to be all embracing, we have a message of hope. We are called to be a community of hope because of God’s wisdom,” Dean Dunne stated. “With homelessness and drug addiction becoming chronic in towns and cities throughout our country and people of faith being afraid for their lives across the world, we must bring our message of hope. Central to that message of hope is our Triune God. How can we be Trinitarian in our response?… These reflections arise out of our reflection on God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.”
Photo captions:
Top – Christ Church Cathedral Choir with Archbishop Michael Jackson, Dean Nigel Dunne and the Revd Garth Bunting after the Trinity Sunday Patronal Service.
Bottom – The Revd Garth Bunting, Archbishop Michael Jackson and the Revd Robert Lawson during the Trinity Sunday Patronal Service.