May 9th - Reflection

Genesis 18:1-14 (NRSV)
Abraham and Sarah eat with God
The Lord appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the entrance of his tent in the heat of the day. He looked up and saw three men standing near him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent entrance to meet them, and bowed down to the ground. He said, "My lord, if I find favor with you, do not pass by your servant. Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. Let me bring a little bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on -- since you have come to your servant." So they said, "Do as you have said." And Abraham hastened into the tent to Sarah, and said, "Make ready quickly three measures of choice flour, knead it, and make cakes." Abraham ran to the herd, and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to the servant, who hastened to prepare it. Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree while they ate.


They said to him, "Where is your wife Sarah?" And he said, "There, in the tent." Then one said, "I will surely return to you in due season, and your wife Sarah shall have a son." And Sarah was listening at the tent entrance behind him. Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in age; it had ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women. So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, "After I have grown old, and my husband is old, shall I have pleasure?" The Lord said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh, and say, 'Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?' Is anything too wonderful for the Lord? At the set time I will return to you, in due season, and Sarah shall have a son."

Reflection
Nothing at all is too hard for the Lord. In Sarah he brought life from a dead womb and through Jesus he brought life from a dead tomb. God visits us and gives us the hope of new life in him. God comes to us and like Martha, Abraham scurries to make God feel comfortable with a good meal.

We welcome God into our lives and want God to stay in the flesh with us. But God usually leaves us with the Spirit to deal with whatever journey we have been placed upon. And that journey all along the way brings mini-stories of the hope of life and builds our faith and trust in God. It seems we are all placed on a journey with Jesus by our side. We are on a journey with a few friends and Jesus and we learn, as we stumble and bumble along, that God is closer than we think and that all along the way, God is building our faith and trust and hope in him. And this is the life we receive. This is the hope we receive. This is the love we receive.

It all starts with a promise, some companionship and a gift. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Thank you Jesus for your visit this day. As I go with you Moses, Elijah and a friend this day; teach me hope and faith in all we do. --- Amen