Hospitality and Worship
In the story of Abraham, the lesson about hospitality is fundamental, touching the deepest mysteries of revelation. Consider the similarities between the meeting at Mamre and the celebration of the Eucharist. The order is changed a little, but similarities are overwhelming. The rhythm of hospitality described when Abraham meets the three strangers includes bowing in welcome, washing feet, rest, bread, feasting, concern about family, intercessory prayer, exchange of gifts. The Mass includes a careful welcome from the priest at the opening, in the name of God, corresponding to Abraham’s prompt and warm welcome. It includes water to wash, although it’s self-serve, and it’s for fingers, not toes. It includes a place to rest – or sit, anyway. Mass includes bread, of course – consecrated, transformed and transformative, but bread. It’s a feast – neither steak nor lamb, but the flesh of the Lord. But also, “man does not live by bread alone.” We are fed first in the readings from Sc...