Thursday, July 10, 2025  

Today's Scripture
Genesis 18:1–14

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.” (NRSV)

Reflection

As a child, I remember car rides with my parents when, while driving, they would look at each other and say, “Look over there at Bob and Mary’s flowers! It’s been a month of Sundays since we’ve seen them. Let’s stop by.” My parents would knock on the door, and Bob and Mary were genuinely excited to welcome us in. We would be seated on the plastic-covered sofa. Mary would scurry off to the kitchen, and let’s be honest — in that time period, it was always Mary scurrying to the kitchen. In a few minutes, Mary would return with slices of cake or a tray of cookies and freshly squeezed lemonade. The adults would visit, and my brother and I would daydream while observing the “speak when spoken to” expectation.

As an adult, I have so many questions about that whole scenario. Did people really just stop by without an invitation or a scheduled visit? How was their house always so neat? As much as my family tries to live an orderly existence, depending on when you stopped by, there would be dirty baseball uniforms dropped in the middle of the floor, toys left in walkways, a toddler chasing a puppy who was chasing a toddler. And who has home-baked treats at the ready? Who lives like this?

During these visits, the adults would discuss health concerns, work issues, family updates, and the weather. I may have been daydreaming, but I don’t recall anyone claiming to be an angel sent by God. But maybe that was unspoken. In that visit, people connected and shared joys and concerns. Without ever uttering the words, it was clear that we belong to one another. God faithfully provides for each of us if only we offer hospitality to those angels among us.

Prayer

Loving God, I’m not suggesting you send people uninvited to my house, but maybe you could remind me to offer and receive hospitality from those in my midst. Be faithful to provide these angels, and I will do my best to receive them. Amen.  

Written by Andrea Denney, Executive Director of Operational Ministries

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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