Scripture: Genesis 18:1-4
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.”
Thought for the Day: A few weeks back, a story spread like wildfire of a mysterious priest who appeared on the scene of an accident, provided care and comfort, and then disappeared. Within 24 hours, a legend was created about an angelic visitor whose physical presence, though encountered by many, supposedly did not show up on any photographs taken of the scene. People described it as the “Miracle on the Highway”. There is something within humanity that longs for such stories, and that deep longing was shown in people’s visible disappointment in learning that the mysterious priest was in fact Father Patrick Dowling, a humble man who stopped by to help, and then desired to take no credit for his work. In learning the truth, I was not disappointed, but overjoyed! Abraham encountered three guys by the oaks of Mamre, and they ended up being the very presence of God to Abraham. Yet the scriptures describe them as men. It happened then – it happens now. And remember, Jesus said that our good works would over shadow his works (that’s Bruce’s translation of the scripture)? The body of Christ is called to be the body of Christ, and when it does so, it just might be mistaken as the body of Christ or God or an angel.
Prayer: God, encourage me to do the things that just might have people wondering amongst themselves, “Was that an angelic visitor?” Amen.
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