The Invitation Remains

In Genesis, a story unfolds, ancient and enigmatic. "The Lord" appears as "three men" or "three angels" to Abraham and Sarah. Their instinct is clear: hospitality, an offering of food and drink. Humanity feeds God, a concept challenging our perception.

This tale birthed an icon by Andrei Rublev: The Hospitality of Abraham. Three colors speak volumes:

Gold: "the Father"—perfection, wholeness, the Source
Blue: "the Incarnate Christ"—uniting divinity and humanity
Green: "the Spirit"—growing all within, transforming light

The icon reveals the Holy One as Three, sharing a meal in endless hospitality. If we take this seriously, we say, "In the beginning was Relationship." The gaze between them shows respect, sharing from a common bowl. The Spirit's hand points to an open fourth place—invitation, space clearing.

At the table's front, a small hole lingers. Art historians ponder: was there once a mirror? Imagine: space for a fourth—the observer.

You. Yes, you—and all creation—are invited to the divine table, to join in friendship's dance. The mirror may have faded, lost in time, but the invitation remains.

(adopted from: Richard Rohr, The Divine Dance)