For the Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time…
The LORD appeared to Abraham by the terebinth of Mamre,
as he sat in the entrance of his tent,
while the day was growing hot.
Looking up, Abraham saw three men standing nearby.
Genesis 18:1-2
It is said that the famous Rublev icon, that of the Trinity, is taken from this scene in the Bible. In my younger years, I’ve read this story as if the visiting messengers to Abraham were angelic envoys that God used to communicate more about Abraham’s future: That the promised father of nations would soon father a son. But now, thanks to my appreciation for the icon, attributed to Rublev, I take genuine delight in the idea that maybe it was, possibly, the Holy Trinity was taking a little road trip, so to speak, from heaven, to deliver this baby news to Abraham face-to-face. (We may never know for sure, of course, and I defer to the biblical scholars.) But to me, it does seem that perhaps God was having a little fun with his dear servant, Abraham. For the Heavenly Father is full of delightful surprises. Starting with the Creation accounts in early Genesis and onwards through time, this same God slowly revealed himself over the course of numerous centuries in many veiled ways.
Abraham does well by his guests, in his gracious hospitality, reminding me of a New Testament maxim that, in some ways, might apply to Abraham, and to us:
“Do not neglect hospitality, for through it some have unknowingly entertained angels” (Hebrews 13:2).
Dear God, let me not overlook the angels you send to this world to accomplish your will. And thank you for the living faith of Abraham who first walked with you on this earth, so others could follow.
