The Hospitality of Abraham

Inspired by Bishop Rob Wright’s weekly practice of writing a 150-word reflection on the upcoming Sunday’s lectionary readings, I’m going to try to write a reflection on the readings each week in 250 words or less…

The Hospitality of Abraham
Pentecost 3 – Year A  – Proper 6 (Track 1) – June 9, 2026

Genesis 18:1-15, (21:1-7)
Psalm 116:1, 10-17
Romans 5:1-8
Matthew 9:35-10:8(9-23)

The 15^th century iconographer Andrei Rublev wrote what is considered the most celebrated Russian icon of all: Troitsa or the Trinity. Three heavenly figures sit in a round, gazing lovingly at each other, inviting the viewer to join their fellowship and to complete the circle. This icon which exudes welcome and hospitality is also called “The Hospitality of Abraham” since it simultaneously portrays the three heavenly strangers who visited Abraham at the Oaks of Mamre (Genesis 18:1 – 15). After extending generous hospitality to his angelic visitors, Abraham learns about the divine plan to investigate the “grievous sin of Sodom.”

Traditionally the sin of Sodom has been conflated with homosexuality. However, biblically, this is not the case. According to the Jewish prophet Ezekiel (who was not afraid to talk about sex), the sin of Sodom was haughty inhospitality to the poor and marginalized (Ezekiel 16:49 – 50). Another Jewish prophet named Jesus of Nazareth condemns Sodom in this Sunday’s Gospel (Matthew 9:35 – 10:23), but not in the context of sexuality. Jesus condemns Sodom also in the context of inhospitality to the vulnerable.

It is tragically ironic that Christians frequently use Sodom—whose sin was inhospitality—to justify their own inhospitality to LGBTQ+ folk. It is by extending hospitality to the vulnerable that the church can emulate Abraham, who in welcoming “queer” visitors was, in fact, entertaining angels (Hebrews 13:2) and entering more fully into fellowship with the divine Lover, the Beloved, and the Love Overflowing.