Daily Readings - Sat Jan 30 2021
Hebrews
1Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.2This is what the ancients were commended for.8By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.9By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise.10For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.11By faith Abraham, even though he was past age--and Sarah herself was barren--was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise.12And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.13All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth.14People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own.15If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return.16Instead, they were longing for a better country--a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.17By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son,18even though God had said to him, "It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned."19Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death.
Mark
35That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, "Let us go over to the other side."36Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him.37A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped.38Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?"39He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.40He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?"41They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves 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.