“My Lord, if I have now found favor in Your Sight, do not pass Your servant” (Genesis 18:3)
Priest Habtamu Teshome
July 13, 2023
The everyday work of the Satan is evil. Our Forefathers who understood his habitual hate of good named him “The hater of virtuous.” For he is the enemy of kindness, he tested Abraham. Satan tested our father Abraham because he is the enemy of kindness. Abraham is a good man. He has been an example to many. He was also generous. For he pitched his tent at the cross roads and fed many. Because he is kind, he would always rest in his tent for those he knew and those he did not know. Abraham is ‘Miskaye Hazunan.’ Many of them are sheltered in his house.
Satan, whom has is already called ‘the enemy of good things,’ did not like Abraham’s virtue. He thought to taste him. He sat on the road and covered himself with blood as if he had been suffocated. The people came there that knew the old tribute of Abraham. Satan, who tries to tempt, bring challenge to Abraham by ambushing to seize the journey of people towards Abraham. Satan said, “Abraham, who used to feed and receive guests, has changed today. He beats those who approach his tent. He is the one who covered me with blood, so don’t go.” Satan did this knowing Abraham would not eat without a guest.
Due to this evil rumor, the guests vanished from his house for several days. And Abraham abstained from food. For he had never eaten alone under the roof of his house. Knowing this special love of Abraham for God’s guests, the Trinity was willing to visit him and be served under the roof of his house. On Hamele 7 (July 13 G.C), the Trinity came to Abraham’s house as a guest, (Genesis 18:1) They came to him to bless him and give him a son.
The Trinity was revealed under the terebinth trees of Mamre, which Patristic Fathers interpret as an ‘olive tree’; And Abraham ran to them, assuming they were adult guests, to take and host them in his house. “When he saw them, he ran from the door of the tent to meet them.” (Genesis 18:2). He came near and fell to the ground and raised his hand. And he said to them. “My Lord, if I have now found favor in Your sight, do not pass on by Your servant. Please let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree.” (Genesis 18:3)
Abraham revealed the mystery of the Trinity with this word; He explained the oneness by saying “before you” and the three nesses by saying “your feet.” (Interpretation of Genesis Chapter 18)
As his saying, “And I will bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh your hearts. After that you may pass by”, Holy Trinity blessed Abraham’s house and gave him Isaac, his son. The saying “Lord, if I have now found favor in Your sight” describes “the Mystery of Christology.”
When God the Son begged for the might to the will of being born from Abraham’s seed, he asked favor in His sight (as the Virgin Mary Our Lady) to rest in the shade of his house so that he may fruit his seed. When the Bible reveals the ownership of our Lady’s perfection, “Your name is blessed by the grace of God; You have found completeness in God,” he says. (Luke 1:30, praise of Maryam of Tuesday) Abraham asked for it will be the will of God to be born of his seed. And our Lord does not leave those who beg, So He gave him a son named Isaac and was born from his seed and fulfilled his prayer. Who asked God and did not receive?
Our Lord said in the Gospel, “Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.” (Matthew 18:5) It is the will of the Trinity that the son of man receives his brother. That is to accept the Trinity. Abraham is the witness of this.
The fact that our father Abraham begged the Trinity, “do not pass on by Your servant” teaches us many things. We must keep the law and commandments by saying to God, “Do not pass me by.” A person who finds favor in the eyes of God is a person who is led by the Church. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path,” said the prophet David. (Psalm 119: 105) If this is to be, we will get the favor of being a servant.
The Trinity itself, who taught us hospitality, became a guest in Abraham’s house. In the same story, angels visited Abraham’s brother Lot’s house. (Genesis 19:1) And Lazarus was a guest in the rich man’s house. (Luke. 16:2-25) Abraham and Lot received favor with God. New has become despised before our God because of his contempt. Even today, we do not know who will come as a guest. Trinity, Angels, Saints… They can be; History foretells.
Of course, there are many challenges in welcoming guests these days; Thieves, murderers, adulterers… may come as strangers. The answer is short. We are given a discerning light to weigh this. It is important to be careful because Satan, like the one who tempted Abraham, can still tempt and discourage us today.
At the very least, if we can’t be kind like Abraham, let’s not be a hindrance to honest people. Satan sat on the road and imitated saying, “Abraham beat me.” It is appropriate to be careful because there may be people who might be obstacles throughout their life.
We have seen in the Gospel those who say, “Our father is Abraham”, but oppose good things. They opposed Lord Jesus Christ with as same. But our Lord said to them, “You do not know Abraham.” (John 8:38-41)
May the Trinity bless us with the blessing of Abraham!!