entertained angels unaware

Sunday July 18th, Genesis 18: 1 The LORD appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. 2 Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground. 3 He said, "If I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, do not pass your servant by. 4 Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree. 5 Let me get you something to eat, so you can be refreshed and then go on your way—now that you have come to your servant." "Very well," they answered, "do as you say." It had been such a long time waiting, they almost forgot what they were waiting for. The promise to Abraham and Sarah was made almost a lifetime ago it seemed, but Abraham was not bitter. Indeed, Abraham lived in that place where most of us live, fluctuating between resignation and hope. In the mean time he had become a patient person, one who lived on hope and who had never forgotten the lessons of caring for the sojourner in your midst. On this day, some strangers appear on the horizon. Abraham responds out of who he is, who he has become, a welcoming and hospitable person. The welcome was warm and gracious, focused on the needs of the other. This is the beginning of the story that leads to Sodom and Gomorrah. There the towns’ people focused their needs on themselves and in wonton disregard for the other wanted to have their way with the strangers, the antitheses of hospitality. It has is interesting how we can turn a story about hospitality into a Biblical mandate to practice inhospitality to the homosexual community. Some have entertained angels unaware.