Then the men said to Lot, “Have you anyone else here? Son-in-law, your sons, your daughters, and whomever you have in the city—take them out of this place! (Gen 19,12)

Abraham prayed for at least ten righteous men to save Sodom from destruction. It was certain that there were not even that many members of Lot's extended family, or Sodom would have been saved. No, that will not happen, and yet - how remarkable that the messengers have in mind not only Lot himself, but also his relatives, precisely and only because they are his relatives.

It is clear from the history of Scripture that God does indeed want to save not only the individual, but also his family, his tribe, his nation. After all, from the descendants of Abraham a tribe will later be formed and then the promised nation. In ancient times, God also saved not only Noah, but also his family, although one of his sons eventually brought a curse upon himself. And yet to him, as now to Lot's children and future sons-in-law, a hand was extended in the moment of crisis to save them. This is the meaning of the offer that comes through the individual to his family: Lot alone could not save his children and sons-in-law without their will. They could still choose for good or evil, to stay or go. But through one member of the family the hand of grace was extended to the others. Lot thus became the instrument of God's offer, and his loved ones were reached with a message that was enough to receive. What the daughters did, but the sons-in-law did not.

"Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you." (Mk 5,19)