"Let me bring you a little food that you may refresh yourselves; and afterward you may go on your way." - Genesis 18:5
Reflecting upon scripture stories daily inspires my sense of welcome, of listening, of service to God's people, as we travel the pathways of our lives.
Chapter 18 in the Book of Genesis takes us back over thirty-five centuries, to an ancient legend about hospitality. Abraham, a model of extraordinary faith, trusting always in God's unconditional love, sees a trio of traveling strangers coming out of the desert toward him. Abraham treats them as family. He washes their feet and he and Sarah serve them a good meal to refresh them on their journey. Abraham and Sarah welcomed them as though they were welcoming God. And for this, God blessed them with a son, Isaac.
Andrei Rublev, a fine late medieval Russian iconographer, painted this scene of the three mysterious strangers into a famous icon symbolizing the mystery of the Most Holy Trinity. Perhaps Rublev wanted to teach us that the triune God abides in us and we abide in the triune God. And that's a truth of our faith. An awesome reality. This legend invites us to be hospitable to everyone who greets us, to see the image of God in every human being, no matter how unkempt or disguised this presence may be.
How welcoming and encouraging am I when I meet people?
Lord Jesus, give me each day the grace to see Your image in every human being.
Reflection by:
Fr. Kevin Mackin, OFM
Did You Know...
Fr. Kevin E. Mackin, OFM, of St. Anthony Friary in St. Petersburg, has served in parish ministry and chaplaincy, and as a college president and professor. His articles and books include Enjoying God's Gifts; Get Thee Behind Me, Satan: Rejecting Evil; and Christian Unity: The Next Step 'That They May All Be One.' His website is afranciscanjourney.blogspot.com.
