The LORD appeared to Abraham by the Terebinth of Mamre,as Abraham sat in the entrance of his tent,while the day was growing hot.Looking up, he saw three men standing nearby.When he saw them, he ran from the entrance of the tent to greet them;and bowing to the ground, he said:“Sir, if I may ask you this favor,please do not go on past your servant.Let some water be brought, that you may bathe your feet,and then rest yourselves under the tree.Now that you have come this close to your servant,let me bring you a little food, that you may refresh yourselves;and afterward you may go on your way.”The men replied, “Very well, do as you have said.”Abraham hastened into the tent and told Sarah,“Quick, three measures of fine flour! Knead it and make rolls.”He ran to the herd, picked out a tender, choice steer,and gave it to a servant, who quickly prepared it.Then Abraham got some curds and milk,as well as the steer that had been prepared,and set these before them;and he waited on them under the tree while they ate.They asked him, “Where is your wife Sarah?” He replied, “There in the tent.” One of them said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year,and Sarah will then have a son.”Sarah was listening at the entrance of the tent, just behind him.Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years,and Sarah had stopped having her womanly periods.So Sarah laughed to herself and said,“Now that I am so withered and my husband is so old,am I still to have sexual pleasure?”But the LORD said to Abraham: “Why did Sarah laugh and say,‘Shall I really bear a child, old as I am?’Is anything too marvelous for the LORD to do?At the appointed time, about this time next year, I will return to you,and Sarah will have a son.”Because she was afraid, Sarah dissembled, saying, “I didn’t laugh.”But he replied, “Yes you did.”
REFLECTION
When I met with my high school friends last week we reminisced on our childhoods. My friends remembered my mother as always being engaged with them and always very hospitable. They believed her when she said, "My home is your home". They recalled the many meals shared with them and how my mother went out of her way to drive them home at the end of the day.
Abraham insisted that these three men get out of the heat, drink some water and made preparations to feed them. In the prior chapter 17 of Genesis, the Lord had already changed the name of Abraham's wife from Sarai to Sarah, so when the visitor referred to her by her new name of Sarah, Abraham then knew this was the Lord.
In Hebrews 13:1-2, we are reminded, "Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect hospitality, for through it some have unknowingly entertained angels." We are blessed by God and we need to share our blessings with others, never allowing money, time or troubles shape us into "christians of convenience".
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Throughout His life He showed us, taught us and carried out true love for one another. If someone needs help, help now. If someone asks for something, give to them now. If we have clothing we don't use anymore or have in excess, give them away. In keeping and not sharing we deprive someone of their needs.
As we get older we come to an appreciation of those who walked with us as we took our baby steps, as we grew and matured and as we, too, began our journey with God. We thank God for our family and people who helped shape us. Our Mother Mary showed us in and through her silence how to behave, how to cherish, how to pray and how to share.
When we look back on our lives do we have memories of doing good for the sake of just doing good to the Lord? Have we shown love to anyone who comes into our lives? Our PAPA Legacy states the following: " We want to put the smile of Jesus into the life of anyone we meet. No one should leave us without feeling closer to God and His Church. In a word, we want to be a smile of Jesus for all. " (PAPA Handbook, page 23)
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