In many ethnic traditions, when you visit someone’s home, you are given something to eat—and not just a little snack, but a veritable feast. In a pristine, empty house located within a few minutes of your arrival, there is enough food to feed a small army; that is what happens in today’s first reading. The trio that visits Abraham at Mamre is given “a little food,” which consists of a tender choice of steer, rolls, curds, and milk. By the way, a “tender, choice steer” would generally weigh between 800 and 1000 pounds. That’s a lot of steak for three people.
In addition, the three men were actually divine beings. Some commentators, including St. Augustine, say that it was God himself appearing as the Trinity. Notice that whenever the men speak, they speak as one. They also offer a prophecy that Sarah will bear a son. Moreover, Abraham treats his guests as gods. Even though the text uses the word “men,” Abraham knew that they were more than just mere mortals. He is deferential, recognizing that something special was occurring that day.
The technical term for God interacting with humans is a “theophany.” In this case, God intervenes in Abraham’s life to give him the good news that he will be a father. God blessed Abraham because he was the just one mentioned in the Psalm: “Those who do justice will live in the presence of the Lord.”
Much like Abraham and Sarah, Martha and Mary, and a host of other people, we have a choice. We can choose to put God first and really try to see His presence in the world around us, or we can choose to go it alone. God will still be there, like the prodigal father waiting for the son to return; however, it will be up to us to make the decision to return.
In your prayers this week, ask the Lord to help you be like Mary so that what was said of her may be said of you: She “has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.”
