Salvation History

A Reflection on the First Reading for Sunday July 17th, 2022
​Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

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Genesis
18.1-10a


The Lord appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre, as Abraham sat at the entrance of his tent in the heat of the day. Abraham 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 favour 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 Abraham, “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.”

How incredible it must have felt for Abraham and Sarah. To welcome the Lord. To serve Him in gladness and without hesitation. To break bread together. To give of what they had without reserve. To receive such a promise. A promise that Sarah will find so beyond her expectation that she will laugh. A moment so special, the Lord needed us to read and hear it. A moment so incredible, it has been shared through the ages.


The reason this moment is shared is not just because it was a moment of incredible importance in salvation history, but also because it is the pattern of our interactions with God. When He comes to us, do we react as Abraham did? Does an unexpected encounter fill our hearts with joy? Or perhaps annoyance? Or terror? Do we give all we have, or do we seek to give what we have to spare?


Sometimes I think that I would be more than happy to fly under the radar of salvation history and not be faced with this challenge. It would be so much simpler. Less stressful. I would mind my own business and keep out of trouble. God wouldn’t ask too much of me, and I could keep living however I wanted. 


But then, what would I lose? By keeping myself out of the story of salvation, I deny myself access to the reckless love of God. By playing it safe and not letting myself be part of the story, I also don’t get the end result. Just as God’s heart overflows, so too should my heart overflow for Him, regardless of the cost.


And while my particular part in salvation history may not be written in the public record, the incredible, beautiful, breath-taking drama of God’s love in my life is known by the Father. My part in salvation history is something written on the margins of the world, but writ large on the heart of the Father. 


Today the Scripture invites us to have the faithfulness of Abraham and Sarah, living in the moment for the Lord. Don’t let fear keep you from joining into this story that stretches back through all of history.




Stephanie Potter​

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