Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: February 1, 2025

Date: Saturday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture Text: Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19

Brothers and sisters:

Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen. Because of it the ancients were well attested. By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; he went out, not knowing where he was to go. By faith he sojourned in the promised land as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs of the same promise; for he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and maker is God.

By faith he received power to generate, even though he was past the normal age and Sarah herself was sterile for he thought that the one who had made the promise was trustworthy. So it was that there came forth from one man, himself as good as dead, descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sands on the seashore. All these died in faith. They did not receive what had been promised but saw it and greeted it from afar and acknowledged themselves to be strangers and aliens on earth, for those who speak thus show that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of the land from which they had come, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better homeland, a heavenly one.

Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

By faith Abraham, when put to the test, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was ready to offer his only son, of whom it was said, Through Isaac descendants shall bear your name. He reasoned that God was able to raise even from the dead, and he received Isaac back as a symbol.

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The first reading from Hebrews reminds us of the foundation of our lives, faith in our LORD who is “trustworthy.” It underscores the resiliency that faith gives to us, especially in difficult and challenging times.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Do I faithfully seek the will of the LORD? Do I faithfully live the LORD’s will for me?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, Beloved Son, Most Holy Spirit, always and everywhere You are and your love for us present in your promise to us is the wellspring of our faith. Grant that we may draw upon that wellspring, upon our faith, to live the lives You created us to live, the lives You gave your life upon a cross to save, the lives You grace and seek to guide moment to moment. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall, world without end. Amen.