Dear Brothers and sisters, the second reading from the 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C, Hebrews 11, presents us with what faith means in the Bible. It is not a simple definition, but rather shows how certain people understood and lived their faith. What we will find is that people like Abraham, through faith, lived a life on this earth as a pilgrim.

The depth of this pilgrimage is not easy to grasp. Abraham left his homeland and his time behind, obeying faith. He adhered to a word that did not indicate a clear destination (“Leave your country for a land that I will show you” Gen 12:1). Without knowing where he was going, he obeyed the one who does not disappoint. He saw himself as a pilgrim,one who walks even though he does not know the land. But Abraham held fast to the promise, not because he saw it, but because he believed in the one who made the promise, God . When everything seems impossible, Sarah conceives according to the word of a God who blesses.

And then comes the ultime test: believing beyond death; sacrificing his own son. And he did not doubt. It is only possible for those who believe in the resurrection and in the One, God, who can carry it out. Isaac, the figure of Jesus who died and rose, presents us with the ultimate test of our faith.

This epic is irrational, something humanly unintelligible. He believes against all evidence, and hopes against all hope. But this is the guarantee of the realities that are not seen.

May Abraham teaches us to believe, to hope in the eyes of the Lord; in his unbreakable word. As we read today’s first reading (Wisdom 18:6-9), we are encouraged to live in a state of vigilant expectation (Luke 12:35-40: today’s Gospel).

Blessings to all, Fr. Alex

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