Let me bring you a little food, that you may refresh yourselves. Genesis 18:1-10a

Our idea of fast food is driving to a local chain, pulling up to the giant menu board with the scratchy speaker system, yelling out the order, driving to the window and paying. Within minutes, you have your food and you speed away. It’s fast.

In the book of Genesis, there is a different account of fast food service. Some mysterious visitors come to see Abraham and Sarah. Abraham realized that there is something divine about their presence. He immediately offers hospitality: a bath, a rest and a meal. They agree. But Sarah has to come with some food, fast.

She bakes rolls from fine flour. A servant slaughters and prepares a juicy steer. The curds and milk are easier, but the basic ingredients of a hamburger, bread and meat, have to be prepared from scratch on the spot - not fast food by our standards but pretty impressive for its day.

As a result of his hospitality, Abraham received from God the gift he has waited for all his life: a son, Isaac, whom he will love.

When strangers or friends drop by, we have the opportunity to offer hospitality. Sometimes we are so busy that our primary hope is they will leave as soon as possible. But there is another solution. We can offer hospitality. The blessing we receive may be the one we have desired all life long.

Written by Paul Turner. Liturgy Training Publications
Copyright 2003, Archdiocese of Chicago