NEW TESTAMENT: Hebrews 11: 1 - 3, 8 - 16 (RCL)
Hebrews 11: 1 - 3, 8 - 19 (Can. BAS)
Hebrews 11: 1 - 2, 8 - 12 (13 - 19) (Roman Catholic)

Hebr 11:1 (NRSV) Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. 3 By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.

8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to set out for a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; and he set out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he stayed for a time in the land he had been promised, as in a foreign land, living in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he looked forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. 11 By faith he received power of procreation, even though he was too old--and Sarah herself was barren--because he considered him faithful who had promised.12 Therefore from one person, and this one as good as dead, descendants were born, "as many as the stars of heaven and as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore."
13 All of these died in faith without having received the promises, but from a distance they saw and greeted them. They confessed that they were strangers and foreigners on the earth, 14 for people who speak in this way make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. 15 If they had been thinking of the land that they had left behind, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; indeed, he has prepared a city for them.
17 By faith Abraham, when put to the test, offered up Isaac. He who had received the promises was ready to offer up his only son, 18 of whom he had been told, "It is through Isaac that descendants shall be named for you." 19 He considered the fact that God is able even to raise someone from the dead--and figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.

Notes h/t montreal Anglican


The author has urged his readers to recall the time after they were baptised: they endured hardships: – public abuse, persecution and “plundering of your possessions” (10:34), accepting these privations cheerfully “knowing that you ... possessed something better and more lasting”. So, he urges, “do not abandon ... that confidence of yours” (10:35). “You need endurance” (10:36) to “receive what was promised” (i.e. eternal life with Christ). Christ will come again; keep your faith in him


11:1: Scholars interpret this verse in various ways:
• NOAB says that, instead of defining faith comprehensively, the author describes those aspects of it that bear upon the argument.
• CAB says that the explanation of “faith” here conforms in style to the definitions in Greek philosophical writings, and that the crucial terms “conviction” and “assurance” carry philosophical meaning as to how ultimate reality can be known. But the writer has made a crucial addition: “faith” is also oriented toward the future and is grounded in the hope of fulfilment of God’s purpose. The “assurance” is that the heavenly realities, which humans have “not seen”, will be revealed to God’s faithful people, just as the “ancestors” (v. 2) looked forward to this reality.
• NJBC says that the meanings of the words hypostasis (“assurance”) and elenchos (“conviction”) are much disputed. He considers that the words mean reality and demonstration. (The REB seems to agree.) “Faith” then is the reality of good things and events hoped for, the proof of things one cannot see, the latter being the heavenly world, and the former, those of that world. At least in 1:3 (NRSV: “very being”), hypostasis clearly means reality or substance


12:33-34: See also Matthew 6:19-21; Mark 10:21; Luke 18:22; Acts 2:45 (Christians share their possessions); 4:32-35. Jesus spoke against abuse, not possession, of property: in v. 15, he tells the crowd: “Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one's life does not consist in the abundance of possessions”. [NOAB] Luke’s version puts a positive spin on Jesus’ words; Matthew 6:21 says “‘Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal.’





GOSPEL: Luke 12: 32 - 40 (RCL)
Luke 12: (32 - 34) 35 - 40 (41 - 48) (Roman Catholic)

Luke 12:32 (NRSV) "Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
35 "Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; 36 be like those who are waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that they may open the door for him as soon as he comes and knocks. 37 Blessed are those slaves whom the master finds alert when he comes; truly I tell you, he will fasten his belt and have them sit down to eat, and he will come and serve them. 38 If he comes during the middle of the night, or near dawn, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves.
39 "But know this: if the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. 40 You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour."
41 Peter said, "Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for everyone?" 42 And the Lord said, "Who then is the faithful and prudent manager whom his master will put in charge of his slaves, to give them their allowance of food at the proper time? 43 Blessed is that slave whom his master will find at work when he arrives. 44 Truly I tell you, he will put that one in charge of all his possessions. 45 But if that slave says to himself, "My master is delayed in coming,' and if he begins to beat the other slaves, men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk, 46 the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour that he does not know, and will cut him in pieces, and put him with the unfaithful. 47 That slave who knew what his master wanted, but did not prepare himself or do what was wanted, will receive a severe beating. 48 But the one who did not know and did what deserved a beating will receive a light beating. From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from the one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded.


Jesus has told his disciples, in the presence of a large crowd, the story of the farmer who, keeping all of his huge harvest for himself, completely obliterated God from his life. Wealth per se is acceptable, but abusing it is not. To “strive for his kingdom” (v. 31) is much more important than acquisition of material goods: “life is more than food” (v. 23). Trust in God’s care of you! He knows what you need, and will give it you. Now Jesus calls his disciples “little flock” (v. 32), for they are few, and oppressed (“do not be afraid”). (In Ezekiel 34, God speaks of his people as his “flock”.) They will be citizens of “the kingdom”. Avoid over-attachment to “possessions” (v. 33) and share what you have with the needy (“give alms”). Emphasize your relationship with God, not material wealth; integrity with him lasts, but wealth ends with the grave