Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish

FR MICHAEL BIBLICAL IMAGERY

(Fr Michael Boakye Yeboah: Vice Rector of St Gregory Seminary, Kumasi-Ghana)

THE MIRACLE OF MAMRE

            Have you been waiting for the visitation of the Lord because of some special need(s)? We all can attest to the fact that there are some situations in life that solutions can only come from God. Do science and human knowledge have any solution to barrenness? Or can the wisest philosopher or the most gifted orator satisfies the real longings of human’s heart? All that science and human giftedness can do is to offer humans some initial promises of hope, only for them to decline with time. Today, the readings meant for our reflections offer us a strong indication that it is only from God that man can get permanent solutions for his problems. It is only in God that the heart of man finds real satisfaction and that nothing can be compared to this satisfaction.

            Abraham is arguably the most blessed human being in the Old Testament. In all his blessedness, he lacked the one thing that God promised him. He was promised to be the father of the nations but at his old age, Sarah, his wife could not beget him a child because of barrenness. In human terms all hopes were gone because Sarah had passed the age of child bearing. It is not surprising that when the Angels told Abraham that a year by this time his wife Sarah will conceive and bear a son, Sarah standing at the door post laughed at them. Probably, Sarah thought that those visitors were just making fun of her husband or just giving an empty promise of gratitude for the food and water given them.

            I can understand Sarah perfectly because most of us humans walk by sight and not by faith, and we trust the findings of science and human wisdom to the extent that we doubt our faith in God who can make all things possible. Are you like Sarah in your small corner? It is true that when doctors through lab texts confirm that you have terminal disease, they can predict when you will die. This is true to a very large extent but remember that God is the giver of life and can change the medical calendar on your life. Many are those who were given six months to live and yet they are still living ten years after a doctor’s prediction. Or do you have a medical situation like Sarah’s barrenness; that medically, there cannot be any solution? Science may not have a solution for you but God does. If God did it for Sarah, Hannah, and Elizabeth, he can also do it for you.

            God’s promise to Abraham was released many years ago; but what unlocked that promise? Come to think of it, it may have been the kindness of Abraham to those strangers who he didn’t knew were Angels of God. Abraham gives us the example that we should not always wait for someone to ask of us a favour before we offer to give assistance. We should learn to discern the needs of others and here, Abraham gives us a perfect example.

            The inspired writer tells us that: “Looking up, Abraham saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he ran from the entrance of the tent to greet them; and bowing to the ground, he said: ‘Sir, if I may ask you this favor, please do not go on past your servant. Let some water be brought, that you may bathe your feet, and then rest yourself under the tree…let me bring you a little food, that you refresh yourselves; and afterward you may go on your way…” Tell me if a man offers this kind of assistance to strangers, how can’t God who love cheerful givers bless him. The kindness of Abraham may have unlocked the words of blessings on him and his wife, because we are told that before the Angels left, one of them said: “…I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah will then have a son.” And this promise came to pass.

            A similar act of kindness was in display in Bethany. The friends of Jesus: Lazarus, Martha, and Mary did not only feed Jesus anytime he passed their way but Mary also gave a friendly listening ear to Jesus. That hospitality was not forgotten by Jesus. When Lazarus died, Jesus came to them to gift to the family a gift of life by raising Lazarus from the dead – something science and human wisdom don’t know how to do. Kindness to God and children of God who need assistance can never go unnoticed by God.

            When was the last time you offered to give a little help to a person in need? At times, it is not simply because we don’t have plenty to share but it may simply be out of selfishness and self-centeredness that we don’t help. You don’t need to be the owner of all the treasures in the world in order to give because there is grace and blessing when we share the little that we have. Remember that God loves cheerful givers. The miracle of Mamre awaits you if only you can unlock your miracle with kindness as Abraham did. OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP PRAY FOR US.