Daily Readings - Sat Jan 30 2021
Hebrews
1Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.2For by it the people of old received their commendation.8By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.9By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise.10For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.11By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised.12Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.13These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.14For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland.15If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return.16But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.17By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son,18of whom it was said, "Through Isaac shall your offspring be named."19He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.
Mark
35On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, "Let us go across to the other side."36And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him.37And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling.38But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?"39And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.40He said to them, "Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?"41And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even wind and sea obey him?"
Sermon
In today's readings, we explore the essence of faith and its practical implications in our lives. The first reading from Hebrews delves into the nature of faith, defining it as the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things unseen. Through the examples of Abraham and Sarah, we see faith in action—trusting in God's promises despite uncertainty and impossibility. Abraham's willingness to offer Isaac and Sarah's belief in conceiving despite her age illustrate unwavering trust in God's plan. This passage reminds us that faith is not about seeing the outcome but trusting the process.
The Gospel from Mark complements this by presenting a vivid scenario where Jesus calms a storm, demonstrating His divine authority. The disciples, though fearful, learn a crucial lesson about faith. Jesus' question, "Why are you afraid? Do you still lack faith?" challenges them (and us) to reflect on our trust in God. This miracle story shows that true faith leads to recognizing God's presence and power, even in turmoil.
Connecting these readings, we see that faith is both a belief in the unseen and a trust in God's providence amidst life's storms. In our daily lives, we face challenges that test our faith, but like Abraham and the disciples, we are called to trust in God's plan. The moral lesson here is clear: cultivate faith by trusting God, even when the path is uncertain. Let us embrace this trust, knowing that God is always with us, guiding us through life's tempests.