Genesis — Chapter 18

AND THE LORD APPEARED TO HIM IN THE VALE OF MAMBRE. — God appears to Abraham through three angels taking human bodies — the Father represented by the principal angel (the one in the middle, who chiefly speaks), the Son and Holy Spirit by the other two (Eucherius, Rupert, Augustine). This appearance commemorated at Mambre became a famous place of pilgrimage, where Jews, Gentiles, and Christians gathered until Constantine ordered a church to be built and pagan rites suppressed (Sozomen II, 3). Note Abraham's hospitality: \"he ran to meet them\" at noon in the heat, prepared a meal himself, served them standing — a model of cheerful, generous, humble hospitality.

IS THERE ANYTHING HARD FOR GOD? — Said in response to Sarah's laughter at the promise of a son at her age. Nothing is impossible for God: \"For nothing shall be impossible with God\" (Luke 1:37; the same declaration made to Mary). Lapide: as Isaac was born supernaturally from aged and sterile parents as the figure of Christ, so Christ was born supernaturally from a virgin as the reality. The promise \"I will return to thee at this time, life accompanying, and Sara shall have a son\" was fulfilled punctually, to the month.

AND ABRAHAM DREW NEAR AND SAID: WILT THOU DESTROY THE JUST WITH THE WICKED? — Abraham's intercession for Sodom: the great model of intercessory prayer. He approaches God boldly yet humbly (\"I am dust and ashes\"), progressively — from fifty just persons down to ten — and God responds at each step. Morally: intercessory prayer for sinners is not only permitted but enjoined upon the just. God's response to Abraham shows His mercy: even ten just persons would have saved the wicked city. Lapide: only Lot with his family were found; hence the destruction.