Hospitality: Abraham-style
Abraham and Sarah were on their property, at the terebinth of Mamre, near Hebron in Israel. It was a city 20 miles south of Jerusalem—in Judah territory, the mountainous area, far-east of the Dead Sea. Today’s bible story is a sixth appearance of God to our faith patriarch Abraham. That’s important to note, because it shows that Abraham is able to know and recognize God’s presence—as he will here. Three mighty visitors come by. Well, there are more than passing through—Abraham recognizes how the noise (cries) of sin from Sodom and Gomorrah have provoked a response from God. Abraham knows the Lord is greatly displeased with what’s going on over in Lot’s given territory, which was 35 to 40 miles east near to the Dead Sea. Abraham notes that among these three figures walking to his home is an appearance of God (in theophany or Christophany to him), as seen in what we’d say now was a pre-figured Christ/Son of Man. God is in the center and He is flanked by a couple of holy and mighty warrior angels. They appear as human, but they are fierce looking. The Trio have come to reckon with the sin and disobedience in Lot’s territory there (which includes Sodom and Gomorrah). They’ll go to those cities and more places in holy judgement.
Yet first—here we are in Genesis 18:3-8, as the Special Three Visitors take the path to Abraham’s land, to the man in covenant with God. He recognizes he is in Divine and angelic company. The text says how Abe hurried out to meet them and bowed down to the ground before them in high respect. Next, he offers immediate hospitality for them to rest under a shade tree, be refreshed with well water, and then get a big meal prepared, as Sarah joins in to the welcome. Very likely there are holy greetings exchanged. Shalom, Shalom!
In great contrast later on, when these three Visitors are seeing Lot’s people, they will not be recognized nor welcomed, yet even are treated rather scandalously and rudely, and all in blasphemy. Far from a welcome; it’s more of an insidious insult and a sin-infested treatment! They will totally miss the Divine and angelic coming, because they are lost in all their depth of pride, sin, and fleshly loathing in sexual immorality. It’s told in Genesis 19 and we know the judgment God gives to Sodom and Gomorrah and to Lot’s sinful half of the Holy Land people. Lot lives in un-holy land. His people are not just guilty of inhospitality here; no, they have totally lost the Faith. The big gift offered to Lot in God’s getting him and his kin away from horrid Mesopotamia was really bungled. Noah’s descendants were told that God had anger for humanity’s big sins, but we wouldn’t be destroyed by water again, but.by fire. That takes place.
So in juxtaposition, we have the woe of Genesis 19 to the prime wow example of Abraham of hospitality to his guests. Hospitality is a virtue. It’s an attitude of my home is your home. Put your feet up; let us treat you kindly and well. It’s an attitude of courtesy, but even more, it’s when much honor and respect is shown, for one is always in the presence of The Lord. For He Comes.
Later in the Bible, the writer of Hebrews says a connected thing to this story. On the subject of average Christian living in hospitality, it advises: “Don’t neglect to show hospitality, for by doing this some have welcomed angels as guests without knowing it.” Hebrews 13:2.
The word “hospitality” originates from the Latin word “hospes”, meaning “guest” or “host”. This root also gives rise to other related terms like “hospital,” “hospice,” and “hotel,” all of which involve providing care and shelter to guests. The Latin term “hospitalitas” referred to the practice of being hospitable, and this evolved into the modern English word “hospitality.” The word hospital today is one where we Catholics use the term (as do some other Christians) for the place where we are giving people a great care facility for their health needs. In the USA alone, the Catholic Health Association represents more than 600 hospitals and 1,600 care and health facilities. It’s been a witness to our faith in action—it’s produced saints among us in Elizabeth Ann Seton, Frances Xavier Cabrini, and Fr. Damian of Hawaii. Our own Fr. Pius Tekura Michael, who lives in Resurrection rectory, has a ministry of emphasis on this virtue for six of seven days a week at Adventist White Oak Hospital. Your support of our parish and of the Archdiocese Annual Appeal brings his ministry there. A few of you as patients there have met him, while laying on your back.
Going back to the hospitable Abraham, we said how it’s important to note that he recognized God in this visit in Genesis 18. The five prior appearances of Abraham being with God include the following occasions: 1/ when God first called him (Gen. 12:1-3), 2/ when Abraham parted ways with Lot to have their tribes live in separate parts of the land (Gen. 13:14-17), 3/ when he met with the Priest-King Melchizedek-(Gen. 14:18-20), 4/ when God made a covenant with him (Gen. 15) and 5/ when God restated His covenant with Him (Gen. 17). Abe knows the Lord.
What was Abraham doing in this time right before the Holy Visit? He was praying for those in Lot’s tribe to escape God’s wrath. He was so sad that these people of faith who had come up with his people from the Land of Ur had fallen so badly. God evidently hears the prayer of Abe’s intercession, and makes a route to his property to be ahead of the route to judge Lot’s people.
These three visitors whom Abraham entertained were heavenly, and Abraham and Sarah knew how they were in the company of God Himself. As being a couple in prayer and faith, they had their soul radar on for God, and communication lines all open, and were aware how God observed them—and they hoped that The Lord was pleased that Abe’s people still lived in Shalom and holy worship in Hebron.
The story teaches us that God is aware of what is happening on earth, and how He is involved. God hears prayers, and He watches lives of faith being lived out to His happiness. God sends answers or responses to us; some are seen and obvious, while others we may not easily ‘pick up.’ God can even visit or send His heavenly messengers to help fulfill His plans. God’s Son can even come Himself, however He chooses. Or with double escort of warrior angels—like here in Genesis 18. If (or AS) it is going on today, then we are likely to miss what’s going on in the spiritual realms. Yet it is real and it is taking place. Can you hear the thunder?!
For your concern that we’re missing much of what’s in the spirit realm, Jesus gives us Sacraments as Signs and the Church herself as Sign—for recognition for the poor-in-spirit to “get”—that He is with us. This story reminds us, too, that God may work in a way when He visits you unaware.
This story says that the three visitors come in the “heat of the day” (Genesis 18:1), when the sun was high; when the heat was shimmering on the horizon. In arid Canaan, the heat of the day was not enjoyed, it was endured from the cool shadows of one’s tent. (That’s where from this story begins.) We can relate a bit to the situation’s temperature after what our area has experience in heat that feels 100 degrees.
So I would like to tell you of a little example of somebody giving hospitality in their neighborhood. (It was in Kensington that I saw it—or specifically, Chevy Chase View.) I saw some young girls and their mom offering fresh squeezed lemonade at a street corner stand, under an umbrella and by an ice chest. Their sign said how they had 8 ounce cups for sale for 5 cents or for a smile. How about that?
People were stopping by in cars, bicycles, baby strollers, scooters, and by foot. It was good, real lemonade with ice cubes. Why were they serving it? To make their neighbors and passersby happy and slaked of thirst. Price was not of consequence—it was a charity act. What hospitality is was to see! (I think Holy Redeemer Catholic School was behind it. It was on their corner on Summit Ave.)
A quick last mention of Catholic faith inspiring hospitality. I enjoyed being around people who knew our Vince Leahy here at Riderwood and previously at St. Nick’s parish and of Laurel. I did his funeral some weeks ago, The stories told in that gathering about Vince’s hospitality were great in number and how they were spread throughout his life in practice. He seemed to spot a godly situation quite a lot, and saw how he could enter into it with his heart. Good job. Abraham style hospitality. That’s what we are talking about!