An ancient Polish adage says that when we welcome people, we welcome God himself. In today’s first reading, Abraham didn’t recognize that he was being visited by God himself.
Andrei Rublev, the greatest medieval Russian painter of Orthodox icons and frescoes, painted an icon of the Holy Trinity. The prototype for this icon was the mysterious appearance of the Holy Trinity in the form of three travelers to Abraham and Sarah under the oak of Mamre. On the icon, we can see that all three angels are blessing the chalice, in which lies a sacrificed calf, prepared for eating. The sacrifice of the calf signifies Jesus Christ’s death on the cross, while its preparation as food symbolizes the sacrament of the Eucharist.
My dear friends, before receiving the Eucharist we say: Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed. We acknowledge how great a gift we receive. We recognize that the Holy Trinity dwells in us. “Sir, if I may ask you this favor, please do not go on past your servant,” Abraham said. (Genesis 18:3) If we welcome people, we welcome God himself.
In last Sunday’s Gospel, we heard the parable of the Good Samaritan. Today we hear the story of Martha, who represents a person who works for God, and Mary, who listens to God. Martha and Mary represent active and contemplative stages in our lives. We need both in our daily Christians lives, with our eyes looking up to heaven and feet standing firm on the ground. God speaks here and now. In different stages of our lives, we need to be more active or more contemplative. I only know what I need here and now. The advice of others does not always apply to me. The Lord said in reply to Martha’s complaint, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, and it will not be taken from her.” (Luke 10:41-42)
Fr. Rafal Duda
Parochial Vicar