Fr. Mike's Gospel Reflection for - Sunday, July 20, 2025

“Is anything too marvelous for the LORD to do?”

In the First Reading Abraham and Sarah receive a visit from three “men.”  Abraham invites them to sit for a while, to bathe their feet, and to have something to eat and drink.  As they are leaving, one man says, “I will return to you about this time next year, and Sarah will then have a son.”  That is where the Lectionary passage ends.  However, in the next part of the passage the writer explains that Sarah and Abraham are very old and that “Sarah laughed to herself…” about this prediction because she doubted that it was possible.  The man confronts her about laughing and asks, “Is anything too marvelous for the LORD to do?”

Many biblical scholars believe that the three visitors were angels representing the Holy Trinity.  One of the most beautiful depictions of this scene is found in an icon called “The Hospitality of Abraham” written by Andre Rublev more than 600 years ago.  We will soon have a version of this icon in our adoration chapel.  The icon shows God in the Trinity with the Father on the left, the Son in the middle, and the Holy Spirit on the right.  They have identical faces, but different clothing.  The Son and the Spirit lovingly look toward the Father. 

We may never be able to truly understand the concept of the Trinity.  This icon helps us to focus on the beauty of the relationship rather than trying to figure out how it can be possible.  It helps us to accept God’s invitation to participate in the loving communion of the Trinity and to consider the question, “Is anything too marvelous for the LORD to do?”

Fr. Mike