What is God's Name: Reflections on the 'Faces' of God

The whole world belongs to God. How then can God be called a guest? The title fits because God is gracious and respectful of all creatures and does not intrude but loves to be invited in. In Genesis 18 when three strangers come to visit Abraham, he rises, goes to greet them and invites them to sit and share a meal. The upshot is that Abraham and Sarah are promised a son in their very old age. Commentators indicate that the three "angels" were the Trinity of God. By being hospitable Abraham "entertained angels." (Heb.13:2)

How often Jesus was invited to share a meal with people! Think of Zaccheus in the tree eager to see Jesus. Jesus says, "Come down, I'm coming to your house." You know that graced occasion changed Zaccheus' life. (Luke 19)

At the celebration of International Youth Year in Toronto, 2002, Pope John Paul II, by then frail, was our guest in our Motherhouse on Bayview Avenue. We were happy and honoured to host and provide security for God's anointed one, who so loved young people.

These days we are afraid of strangers because we do not know them and think they are different from us. Have we missed entertaining angels? In the judgment scene (Mt.25) Jesus said: "Whatever you do to the least of my brothers and sisters you do to me." It is not "as if" we were doing it to him. It is much more direct than that.

The Evangelist John who wrote so profoundly about love writes in the Book of Revelation the words of Jesus revealed to him: "Look! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone opens, I will come in and have a meal with them." (3:20). These few examples tell us that "Guest" is one of God's names. When we open the door and welcome God, our lives will be changed.

By Mary Alban Bouchard CSJ
Photo by Elaine Guidinger CSJ