16th Sunday, Cycle C, July 22,2007

Scripture: Genesis 18:1-10. Psalm 15:2-5. Col. 1:24-28. Luke 10:38-42.
Lectionary # 109:

Parts of the book of Genesis are said to be from a tradition that uses the
sacred name of God which is pronounced ADONAI (Lord) out of reverence for
the mysterious name given to Moses. The narrative and traditional stories
that have been handed down to Israel through the one named a Yahwist are
down to earth narratives that capture our imagination and help us to
understand God's workings among us in simple and human like terms. Today's
story is one of the best in the Bible and has a powerful outcome for the
great ancestors of our faith, Sarah and Abraham. At the end of the story
God reveals through the three messengers that Sarah will be able to have a
son even though she is well beyond the years for bearing a child. The
story helps us today to understand the importance of hospitality and how to
practice it. It happens that the choice of the Gospel is also a story
about hospitality given to Jesus by a woman named Martha and to some extent
to her sister Mary. Multiple interpretations are possible for both
narratives, but the theme of hospitality is the foundational piece that
stems from both inspired writers. We know the story of Abraham and Sarah
from all of the cycle of narratives going from chapter 12 to chapter 24 of
Genesis; these are excellent for developing one's faith in God/Adonai who
is ever faithful to his covenant of love and mercy and who carries out what
is promised to those who are faithful in responding to the covenant call.
Abraham and Sarah live out this covenant and response in a marvelous way
and thus become the ancestors of faith for all monotheistic believers. In
hospitality there seem to be three steps: first, a warmth of welcome to the
visitors accompanied by an ablution or washing of their hands a feet. Then
there is a time for rest and relaxation for those who have traveled and
were unexpected visitors. Thirdly, there is a sumptuous meal prepared by
the hosts as did Sarah and Abraham. The atmosphere speaks for itself and
puts these visitors who happen to be envoys of God at ease. They are going
to really surprise the elderly couple with the promise of a child to Sarah
who will laugh about this but will find out that God will help her to
conceive miraculously a son to be named Isaac. His names stems from the
verb "to laugh"! This was not a joke even though Sarah took it to be one,
she is rewarded for her fidelity and that of her husband. Both live out
what the Psalm tells us today about the righteous who keep their part in
the covenant with God. Is it their righteousness that brings about the
miracle for Sarah or is it their great hospitality and generosity that God
foresees? Probably both of these great gifts are theirs and work side by
side in their lives in union with God's love and care. Is God represented
by these visitors? Certainly. Is it the Trinity--not in the book of
Genesis so a famous icon may make this the Triune God, but in the original
story it is the God of Abraham or Adonai. In the Gospel we have Martha
inviting Jesus and showin him hospitality and taking care of two parts of
that three-step process in Semitic hospitality, but it is Mary who rests
with Jesus at his feet and relaxes his mind from his ministry. Jesus says
that Mary's part is the most enjoyable, but I am sure the meal that
followed was just as enjoyable for Jesus and Martha's sister, Mary. I
applied the story to the religious orders like the Benedictines and the
Marianists who have hospitality as their warmth of welcome to visitors.
They do not bear children yet God blesses them with spiritual sons and
daughters who follow in their footsteps. Whether we are Christians, Jews,
married or single people the great virtue of hospitality is one that we
need to have in this busy world of ours. We may be receiving an angel or
two whenever we offer this gift to unexpected vistiors. Amen.