Proper 11

Welcome Statement

Good Morning Everyone. Last week we reflected on the prophecies of Amos against Israel, what it means when a nation morally fails to stand up righteously, and props itself up on the poor and downtrodden. Personally, I found the Amos reading to be very haunting and convicting, of where I might be in my own life, perpetuating the cycle of past sins. We ended on a high note however, showing what repentance might look like in the eyes of the acting out the part of the Good Samaritan. In keeping in line with that view, the Lectionary takes us to the story of Abraham and Sarah and their hospitality towards the Lord.

Old Testament Reading - Genesis 18:1-10

Genesis 18:1–10 ESV

And the Lord appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day. He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth and said, “O Lord, if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant. Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree, while I bring a morsel of 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 went quickly into the tent to Sarah and said, “Quick! Three seahs of fine flour! Knead it, and make cakes.” And Abraham ran to the herd and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to a young man, who prepared it quickly. 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 Sarah your wife?” And he said, “She is in the tent.” The Lord said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son.” And Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him.

Goodwill Multiples Divine Blessing

We see here a few things. The first interesting thing is Abraham immediately asks for a blessing, sort of echoing Jacob’s own wrestling with God. But here, Abraham wrestles more through radical hospitality. The closest comparison I can think of in our everyday instance, is if a neighbor came over, and I just decided to gift them my best 4k TV. For the record, I don’t have a 4K TV, I’m too cheap for that. Now I’m not saying to go all out and buy 4K TVs to give to your neighbors, they might think you’re nuts, but we see Abraham sort of sets a standard on sacrifice, as he gets a calf, tender and good, worthy of sacrifice to God, as well as bread, an early archetype of the bread of life. In turn, Abraham is promised by God that he will return in a season to ensure Sarah has a son, an heir to the promises of Abraham. How many times has radical Hospitality m

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New Testament Reading - Luke 10:38-42

Luke 10:38–42 NRSV

Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.”

Stop to Smell The Roses

You ever hear that old adage, “Stop to smell the roses?” That is probably the most apt way to sum up this passage. It’s not Jesus chastising Martha for doing hard work, and saying all day is play no work. No, he’s telling her that the pots and pans, the dishes will always be there, but he won’t always be in their home, at least not physically, and this is an important and special time. You see we are given opportunities to step into the Intersection of Heaven and Earth, a sort of

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Closing Statement

When we have our priorities backwards, when we let the lawn or our chores be the driver of why we exist, we lose all meaning of what life is. These things must get down, that much is true, but what matters is why we do them, and whether we are timely

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, we thank you for this sacred reminder of what we need to keep first in our lives. Help us to be more like Mary, where we care more about your teaching, the word, the eternal life, that we have to look forward to, and to learn to take a step back, and rest in your arms.

Amen.

Doxology / Benediction / Closing

Hear this Good News. Because of the hospitality of others, we have a faith that has dwelled this earth for over 2000 years, without this hospitality, we would not see a faith so rigorous and strong. We can easily focus on numbers, or on what the world says the reality is. But Christ has declared another reality, one full of Hope, and healing.

May you Have a Blessed Sunday, and rest of your Week! Amen!