During Lent our church is reading through a book called 'The Kingdom and The Cross' by James Bryan Smith. Each chapter has what the author calls a 'soul training' activity, in which we are challenged to go deeper in our understanding of who God is and what Christ's work on the cross has accomplished.
This week the soul training exercise is to look at the Trinity icon, which is a famous 13th century icon of the Trinity by Russian iconographer Rublev. The colours and imagery in the icon all have significance, which is interesting to reflect upon. In the Trinity there is unity - the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit live in submission and sacrifice to each other. All three members of the Trinity are huddled together, like three people working closely on a project. The project is the reconciliation of the world.
It is also interesting that everything is pointing to the centre of the table, where the chalice sits. The chalice represents the 'cup' that Jesus chose to endure - his suffering and self-sacrifice. It also represents the chalice used in the Eucharist. When we gather to take Communion, we remember the sacrifice of Jesus.
As complex as the idea of the Trinity might be, this icon helps me to see that the Trinity is a community of love, submission, and sacrifice. My own selfishness and pride so often get in the way of being loving, submissive, and sacrificial. This week my desire is to think and act upon the example of the Trinity--to be more loving, sacrificing, and to live and work in unity with those around me.
