Sixteenth of Year C
July 2010
In today’s first reading there are a few points worth noting.
Firstly God appeared to Abraham in the form of three travellers who were passing by and in need of rest and food.
They did not approach Abraham directly and disturb him as he snoozed at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. Rather they waited patiently at a short distance away until Abraham awoke and noticed them.
This custom of waiting nearby until the occupants of a house noticed you, and came to invite you in, is a custom still practised by the elders of some African tribes.
Abraham, having noticed them, runs to welcome them and supplies them with his best food and drink. They are silent except to accept his welcome.
After they had rested and eaten one of them said ‘I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sara will then have a son.’
This is so typical of how Our God approaches us.
Our God does not intrude. I have to wake up (come to my senses) and become aware of His presence. His presence in nature, in the people I meet, in myself.
I can decide to approach and welcome him or ignore him.
Having been welcomed and listened patiently to my chatter and requests, if I give him a chance to speak God will speak to me.
One can see that there is a progression in all this.
God is always present but do I wake up to his presence? If I do, do I welcome him?
One wonders about the outcome, if Abraham had not awoken to the presence of his visitors or had not welcomed them as he did.
I too must wonder if my blindness to God’s presence or if my tepid welcome and response to his presence, has not influenced the outcome in many areas of my life.
On the other hand, given the opportunity, my God can work great wonders in a very short period of time.