Weekly Bible Study - Genesis 18:20-32

28 July 2013
17th Sunday in Ordinary Time

We have to admire Abraham’s boldness in today’s reading. How do you bargain with God? Abraham’s audacity is a marvel as he confidently sets out to bargain with God for the fate of Sodom.

Used with permission http://www.kevinfrank.net/bible.asp

We might wonder, Is the city even worth saving? The Hebrew Scriptures cite a number of places in which Sodom’s sinfulness is described. The prophet Isaiah speaks of Sodom’s lack of justice and concern for the poor. In Ezekiel we learn of the city’s “abominable crimes” and the prophet Jeremiah refers to Sodom’s conscious choice to live in evil.  And, of course, Genesis 19 refers to its sin as sodomy, hence the city’s name. Sodom is often viewed as a modern metaphor for extreme depravity. Abraham certainly needs to appeal to God’s enormous well of mercy!

Abraham’s concern is that the Lord will “sweep away the innocent with the guilty.” In his persistent bargaining Abraham seeks to “wear down” the Lord, to find some reassurance that God will act justly in the end. Imagine that: humankind is concerned that God will act justly!

Reading ahead in the book of Genesis, we know that Sodom was destroyed. Did the Lord renege on the promise to Abraham? Not really.  A few people were led out of the city before its demise. Sodom was not saved, but the Lord took care of those faithful to him.

In all of God’s dealings with humankind the results of our prayerful (and sometimes not so prayerful) “bargaining” may not be what we expect.  But the Lord always finds a way. And the real point of this passage is that the Lord’s mercy is available for all.  We have only to ask and sometimes with the persistence of Abraham.

Let us all be the bold friend of God that Abraham was and confidently approach the deep well of the Lord’s endless mercy.

The author, Ms. Barbara Gawle, leads Bible studies at her parish, Incarnation Church of Wethersfield, CT. She is a CBS graduate and the 2012 recipient of the Biblical School's highest award, The Lawrence Boadt Memorial Medal.

Silly Summer Sallies

Cartoon of the Week*:

Joke of the Week:
Q: Who was the largest woman in the bible?
A: The woman of Samaria ("Some Area" - See John 4)

Source unknown, borrowed from shiningstranger@wordpress.com

*Copyright 2000-2003, Kevin Frank.Used by permission. http://www.kevinfrank.net/bible.asp

Weekly Bible Study - Gen 18:1-10 and Luke 10:38-42

16^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Perfect strangers to Abraham, the three men suddenly appear at his tent. And Abraham and Sarah provide the strangers with a gracious, fabulous welcome at a moment’s notice.

Hospitality in Old Testament times was extended with great generosity and reverence – foot washing, no less – to both friends and strangers. It was considered a sacred duty that could not be overlooked. What Abraham had, he prepared joyfully for his mysterious guests. It is only after the three men leave that Abraham begins to realize they might be more than simple travelers.

And then what happens? The same time next year, Abraham and Sarah experience the graciousness and generosity of God who visits Sarah, with new life.

In terms of his hospitality, would Abraham have acted any differently if he had known the strangers were actually God’s messengers? Probably not. And unlike Martha in today’s gospel, Abraham does not seem to fret over the preparations for his guests. This is a startling contrast, considering that Abraham welcomes strangers and Martha welcomes a dear friend. But despite her fretting, Martha ministers to our Lord and is remembered for her hospitality to Jesus.

Christ lays a banquet before us every week. Do we give thanks for those who prepare the Eucharistic table for us? Is hospitality an important ministry in our parish? Do we greet strangers and make everyone welcome at the table, whether or not they are dressed in a way we define as reverent?

And whether we are serving or being served at the eucharistic banquet, do we listen to our Lord’s words and find nourishment there? Whether we are with friends or strangers, do we embody the fruits of biblical hospitality: generosity, graciousness, goodwill, God-likeness?


The author, Ms. Barbara Gawle, leads Bible studies at her parish, Incarnation Church of Wethersfield, CT. She is a CBS graduate and the 2012 recipient of the Biblical School's highest award, The Lawrence Boadt Memorial Medal.

Silly Summer Sallies

Cartoon of the Week*:

Joke of the Week:
Q: Where is the first example of cannabalism in the Bible?
A: That would be 2 Kings 8:1 ("Two kings ate one.”)

*Copyright 2000-2003, Kevin Frank.Used by permission. http://www.kevinfrank.net/bible.asp