From the first time I donned a uniform of any type, I was called Coker. For sporting events, it was written across the back, at business or professional meetings there were stickers or name tags, and in my military fatigues or dress uniform the family name was what took precedence, rather than my given name. Over the years I got used to hearing and responding to the name whenever someone called me. However, you and I both know that would never have worked at our dinner table. You would have 11 responses at the same time!

Yesterday we talked about God as a family name representing The Father and Son and Holy Spirit. If I communicate with you personally, I call you by your given (Christian) name at the dinner table. For example, I would not ask Coker to tell me what their first jump as an Army Airborne Paratrooper was like, but I would ask Chuck Jr. So, when we want to address specific needs or our growth, we should focus on communicating with the individual controlling that part of our spiritual development, not just “God” in general. I know this may sound a little whacky, but I am not the first person, nor was this my idea of approaching Deity. Let me give you an 800+ year old example.

Bonaventure was a Franciscan Bishop who lived from 1221 to 1274. He was a scholar of his time, and for that matter, all times. He committed great time and thought to spiritual matters. In his book Disputed Questions on the Mystery of the Trinity, (page 36) he revealed that his “primary concern was to uncover an intelligible connection between the one divine essence and the trinity of persons.” He was using his thoughts, based on St. Francis’s commentary of Luke 18:19. He concluded that goodness and love required plurality and could not exist within a single person. He, as I pointed out that the word for God (Theos) in Luke 18:19 was plural, equating it to the Old Testament word for God (Elohim). He felt that the natural outgrowth of this concept is that The Father’s and Son’s love for each other (based on Christ being the image of The Father) produced the Spirit as an outgrowth of Their love and goodness.

Christ identified his family as three individuals in Matthew 28:19. God’s family consists of multiple people so we would have a basis for our relationships. Each family member provides a blueprint of roles we are to play, based on our placement as a man, woman, son, daughter, husband, wife, friend, or neighbor. So, in the same way each member of the Trinity has a role and purpose, so you do. As you define and accept that role you honor the God Family.

When you need help from one of us, you will normally go to the sibling or parent who has command of the specific area. So it is when you have needs of the God family. It’s important that you know each one individually, the same way you know your brothers and sisters individually. Love both of your families enough to show each one you care. When you neglect one, it throws the whole “love” thing out of balance. After all don’t we want unity, harmony and “oneness” so peace and joy abounds?

Love, Dad