Daily Readings - Sat Feb 01 2025
Hebrews
1Now, faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not apparent2For this reason, the ancients were given testimony8By faith, the one called Abraham obeyed, going out to the place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going9By faith, he stayed in the Land of the Promise as if in a foreign land, dwelling in cottages, with Isaac and Jacob, co-heirs of the same promise10For he was awaiting a city having firm foundations, whose designer and builder is God11By faith also, Sarah herself, being barren, received the ability to conceive offspring, even though she was past that age in life. For she believed him to be faithful, who had promised12Because of this, there were also born, from one who himself was as if dead, a mulititude like the stars of heaven, who are, like the sand of the seashore, innumerable13All of these passed away, adhering to faith, not having received the promises, yet beholding them from afar and saluting them, and confessing themselves to be sojourners and guests upon the earth14For those who speak in this way are themselves indicating that they seek a homeland15And if, indeed, they had been mindful of the very place from which they departed, they certainly would have returned in time16But now they hunger for a better place, that is, Heaven. For this reason, God is not ashamed to be called their God. For he has prepared a city for them17By faith, Abraham, when he was tested, offered Isaac, so that he who had received the promises was offering up his only son18To him, it was said, "Through Isaac, shall your offspring be summoned,19indicating that God is even able to raise up from the dead. And thus, he also established him as a parable
Mark
35And on that day, when evening had arrived, he said to them, "Let us cross over.36And dismissing the crowd, they brought him, so that he was in one boat, and other boats were with him37And a great wind storm occurred, and the waves broke over the boat, so that the boat was being filled38And he was in the stern of the boat, sleeping on a pillow. And they woke him and said to him, "Teacher, does it not concern you that we are perishing?39And rising up, he rebuked the wind, and he said to the sea: "Silence. Be stilled." And the wind ceased. And a great tranquility occurred40And he said to them: "Why are you afraid? Do you still lack faith?"41And they were struck with a great fear. And they said to one another, "Who do you think this is, that both wind and sea obey him?"
Sermon
In today's readings, we delve into the essence of faith and trust in God. The first reading from Hebrews 11 highlights the unwavering faith of Abraham and Sarah, who trusted God's promises despite the uncertainties and challenges they faced. Their story reminds us that faith is not about seeing the immediate results but trusting in God's plan, even when the future is unclear. The second reading from Mark 4 presents a dramatic scene where Jesus calms a storm, demonstrating His divine authority and prompting the disciples to reflect on their own faith.
The context of these readings is significant. Hebrews 11 is part of a chapter often referred to as the "Hall of Faith," where the author illustrates the lives of those who trusted God without receiving the fullness of His promises in their lifetimes. This emphasizes the long-term nature of faith. In Mark 4, the story of Jesus calming the storm occurs during His ministry, showcasing His power and teaching the disciples about trust in the face of adversity.
Both readings intertwine the theme of faith, though in different contexts. Hebrews focuses on enduring faith over time, while Mark's narrative captures a moment of crisis where faith is tested. Together, they teach us that faith is both a steady journey and a response to immediate challenges. In our daily lives, we face our own "storms," whether personal struggles or broader uncertainties. These readings encourage us to trust God, just as the patriarchs and the disciples did, even when the outcome is unclear.
The moral lesson here is clear: faith is our anchor in turbulent times. Just as Abraham and Sarah trusted God's promises and the disciples learned to trust Jesus, we too can find peace by deepening our faith. Let us embrace the journey of faith, trusting in God's plan and authority, even when the path ahead seems daunting.