Listening in on the Trinity of Blessings and the Father of Hospitality
Good Morning Friends,
This morning I’d like us to consider what the Bible says concerning hospitality. James tells us that hospitality is a mark of discipleship. Paul directs us to practice it. John commended the church for meeting the needs of missionaries though hospitality. Peter encourages us to offer hospitality cheerfully. And Jesus expresses His gratitude about hospitality, saying, “I was a stranger and you took Me in.” Friends we are to share with those in need is the Christian way. Today we see the message about hospitality and mission in the story of Abraham and the Trinity. I do so hope you get the point of listening in a deeper way that engages evaluation of our actions. You see the point of hospitality is not the lavishness of the food or surroundings, but on the relationships we develop and the love we convey by involving ourselves with others. Think of the story of Mary and Martha. The food we serve is not the goal, but a means to the goal. True hospitality is not pretentious—it is bringing people into our homes as honorary members of our family. It is bringing God into our home as Abraham did with three strangers. So, today as we gather and go, we also explore the possibility of God writing us into the storyline. Today we find ourselves in the act of missions Listening in on the Trinity of Blessings and the Father of Hospitality.
Scripture: “Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for bread, will give a stone? Or if the child asks for a fish, will give a snake? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
Matthew 7:7-11 (NRSV)
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.” But Sarah denied, saying, “I did not laugh”; for she was afraid. He said, “Oh yes, you did laugh.”
Genesis 18:1-8 (NRSV)
Message: This Sunday is Father’s Day and also Trinity Sunday. Since Christmas we have been contemplating Jesus and over the last few weeks the Holy Spirit and now we add the Father. In today’s scripture we read the Word of faith in a story of hospitality about Abraham entertaining three angels unaware. But it is more than that. It is a model for us to engage in the flow of Holy History…if we have faith. It is an example of how to listen to our heart and believe in the better way.
Friends, the Trinity is one of the hardest things to explain and understand. So today I am going to share a painting that depicts it. The iconic work of Rublev’s Trinity. Here we entertain angels unawares. Here we learn from the messengers in scripture and community. Here we come to the table in relationship with God listening for our part in the story. Friends, we are to be filled with the fullness of God. We are to experience the mystical union of Holy Spirit in Christ, in us before the Father. Here we begin to grasp the shape of the faith-union with Christ that does not obliterate the reality of our own dignity and identity even though we are filled. Here we discover that we too are to be uniquely relational with God the Son, the Holy Spirit and the Father in a community of love. Friends, I really do not think I can explain this even though at some level I comprehend it. Here is the arrangement. Each of us has to ask God for it. We have to ask God for the personal experience of it. So be a good example for the children and ask.
Pray in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Pray that we will learn to trust more and be stressed less. Pray we realize that hospitality is an attitude of heart, a way of life, a form of grace. Pray we realize it is not ability but availability that matters most. Pray we draw the circle wide when we pray. Pray we move from isolation to community…from fear to learning to love. Pray in faith that grows. Pray we understand the battles to be fought. Pray we have a forgiving heart in the process. Pray we not waiver from the call. Pray we be motivated out of love. Pray that strife and stress not keep us from learning. Pray we learn to discern what is right for ourselves. Pray we discern what is evil. Pray we discern what is of God. Pray we come to the table and trust as a child listening for a message from God. Pray we realize that God’s door is open. Pray we realize that we are to listen in a way that is even deeper than discernment. Pray we listen for the call to action in our heart.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 