By George Benson
In chapter 18 of Genesis, we see God is hanging out with Abraham while three strangers are rolling by his tent. Abraham puts God on hold to run up and invite these strangers into his dwelling place, so that he may make a “morsel” of bread for them. But what happens next is, Abraham finds Sarah and has her prepare 16lbs of bread as he selects the most tender and best calf for the meal (as well as gathering milk and curds). Eventually the entire feast is prepared, and the strangers eat under a nearby tree. What Abraham models here is something a mentor of mine labeled, “radical hospitality.” He once told me that the church usually promises a feast and only provides a meal if that. When he said that, it was like ice cold water running down my spine because he was right, and I didn’t want to live in that reality.
Last week, I wrote about advocating for the world we want, not the one we live in and said I’d spend some time talking about my philosophy of community engagement. This model of Abraham’s hospitality is incredibly close to my core, and ought to guide us as we feed and engage with our community. This was the spirit last week of the lunch we prepared for Toledo Streets, and it was a delicious time. Not just for our stomachs but souls as well. When you know you’re providing a feast of really good food, it hits differently than an assembly line to complete an obligation we signed up for. It shifts the mentality of what we are doing, and who we’re doing it for. Food was something Jesus passionately cared about. There is a passage in John 21 where a post-resurrected Jesus and post-denial Simon Peter have a conversation that I love, and to paraphrase it, it goes like this:
Jesus: Simon, do you love me?
Simon: Yes Lord.
Jesus: Feed my lambs.
-beat-
Jesus: Simon, do you love me?
Simon: Uh, yes Lord, of course I love you.
Jesus: Take care of my sheep.
-beat-
Jesus: Simon, do you love me?
Simon: Of course, I love you, my Lord!
Jesus: Then feed my sheep.
This interaction speaks volumes by saying little. Someone who may have been on the “outs” with Jesus near his death is brought back into the fold, and trusted to feed and care for those left behind. Not just their stomachs, but their souls. I am aware of the history Trinity has with feeding people in Toledo, and it is such an honor to join in that. But as we move forward and continue to live into the 2030 vision of ourselves, may we remember that food is the great equalizer, and it is so easy to mess up! May we remember to live up to our promises of providing of a morsel and deliver a feast every time.
Grace and peace y’all.
Grace and peace,
George Benson (he/him)
Director of Community Engagement