First Reading: Genesis 18:1-10a

1The Lord appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the entrance of his tent in the heat of the day. 2He looked up and saw three men standing near him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent entrance to meet them, and bowed down to the ground. 3He said, “My lord, if I find favor with you, do not pass by your servant. 4Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. 5Let me bring a little bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on—since you have come to your servant.” So they said, “Do as you have said.” 6And Abraham hastened into the tent to Sarah, and said, “Make ready quickly three measures of choice flour, knead it, and make cakes.” 7Abraham ran to the herd, and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to the servant, who hastened to prepare it. 8Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree while they ate.   9They said to him, “Where is your wife Sarah?” And he said, “There, in the tent.” 10aThen one said, “I will surely return to you in due season, and your wife Sarah shall have a son.”

This story of Abraham and Sarah is one of my favorites. For years, Abraham and Sarah had waited for God’s promise of a son to be fulfilled. In their senior years, I imagine they had pretty much given up any hope of this happening.

But when God makes a promise, you can be assured it will happen. God makes a promise. God keeps a promise.

When Sarah hears the news that she will have a son “in due season,” she must have thought of all the due seasons that had passed. And what is her response to this news she overhears? She laughs.

It is a laugh of joy? Is it a laugh of “Yeah, I’ve heard that one before”? Is it a laugh to cover up the pain of waiting for decades, and not wanting to be hurt again? Is it a laugh that simply says, “Hah!”?

Whatever kind of laugh it is, she laughs.

And when their son is born, he is given the name, Isaac.

Isaac – which means “laughter.”

Is anything too wonderful for the Lord? What makes you laugh?

Let us pray:

Almighty God, may we trust in your promises and behold your wonderful creation. We pray this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Risen Savior. Amen.