First Reading Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19
1Now, faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not apparent.
2For this reason, the ancients were given testimony.
- Some verses are not read.
8By 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.
9By 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.
10For he was awaiting a city having firm foundations, whose designer and builder is God.
11By 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.
12Because of this, there were also born, from one who himself was as if dead, a multitude like the stars of heaven, who are, like the sand of the seashore, innumerable.
13All 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.
14For those who speak in this way are themselves indicating that they seek a homeland.
15And if, indeed, they had been mindful of the very place from which they departed, they certainly would have returned in time.
16But 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.
17By faith, Abraham, when he was tested, offered Isaac, so that he who had received the promises was offering up his only son.
18To him, it was said, “Through Isaac, shall your offspring be summoned,”
19indicating that God is even able to raise up from the dead. And thus, he also established him as a parable.
Catholic Public Domain Version
Read in the CPDV: The whole of Hebrews 11