January 30, 2021

Hebrews 11: 1- 2, 8- 19

11:1	Now, faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not apparent.
11:2	For this reason, the ancients were given testimony.

11:8	By 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 going.
11:9	By 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 promise.
11:10	For he was awaiting a city having firm foundations, whose designer and builder is God.
11:11	By 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 promised.
11:12	Because 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, innumerable.
11:13	All 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 earth.
11:14	For those who speak in this way are themselves indicating that they seek a homeland.
11:15	And if, indeed, they had been mindful of the very place from which they departed, they certainly would have returned in time.
11:16	But 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 them.
11:17	By faith, Abraham, when he was tested, offered Isaac, so that he who had received the promises was offering up his only son.
11:18	To him, it was said, “Through Isaac, shall your offspring be summoned,”
11:19	indicating that God is even able to raise up from the dead. And thus, he also established him as a parable.

Mark 4: 35- 40

4:35	And on that day, when evening had arrived, he said to them, “Let us cross over.”
4:36	And dismissing the crowd, they brought him, so that he was in one boat, and other boats were with him.
4:37	And a great wind storm occurred, and the waves broke over the boat, so that the boat was being filled.
4:38	And 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?”
4:39	And rising up, he rebuked the wind, and he said to the sea: “Silence. Be stilled.” And the wind ceased. And a great tranquility occurred.
4:40	And he said to them: “Why are you afraid? Do you still lack faith?” And 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?”