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Ordinary Time · Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time · Year C

Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19 or Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-12

The Faith of Abraham

August 13, 2028

The Sacrifice of Isaac, Rembrandt van Rijn
The Sacrifice of Isaac, Rembrandt van Rijn, 1635Hermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg
Rembrandt catches the instant of interruption: the angel grips Abraham's wrist, the knife is already falling, and Abraham's hand still covers his son's face.This is the moment the whole of Abraham's story turns on, and Rembrandt paints the hand that stops it rather than the hand that raised it.Rembrandt van RijnRembrandt (1606-1669) painted scripture as if it had happened in a room he had been in, and returned to the same stories across forty years, changing his mind about them in public.Hermitage Museum, Saint PetersburgCatherine the Great's collection grown into one of the largest museums on earth, filling the Winter Palace and the buildings beside it.Hermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg
Roman Lectionary
GospelLuke 12:32-48Lk 12:32-48 orLuke 12:35-40Lk 12:35-40
Second ReadingHeb. 11:1-2, 8-19Heb 11:1-2, 8-19 orHeb. 11:1-2, 8-12Heb 11:1-2, 8-12
First ReadingWis. 18:6-9Wis 18:6-9
Responsorial PsalmPs. 33:1+12, 18-19, 20-22 (12b)Ps 33:1+12, 18-19, 20-22 (12b)

Overview & Insights

"Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1).

The preacher defines faith and then illustrates it through Abraham, who obeyed and set out not knowing where he was going, trusting God's promise even to the point of offering Isaac.

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Take it further: Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19 or Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-12

Commentary

Hebrews 11 CommentaryHeb 11 Commentary Enduring Word · David Guzik

Commentary on the definition of faith and Abraham's obedience.

Hebrews 11:8 CommentariesHeb 11:8 Commentaries BibleHub

Collects classic commentators on Abraham going out by faith.

Hebrews 11:8-10 CommentaryHeb 11:8-10 Commentary Precept Austin

Detailed notes on Abraham's obedient departure for the promised land.

Hebrews 11 (Barnes/Gill)Heb 11 (Barnes/Gill) StudyLight

Gill's Exposition treats the faith chapter's opening and Abraham narrative.

Commentary on Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16Commentary on Heb 11:1-3, 8-16 Working Preacher

Exegetical commentary on the same faith-of-Abraham pericope for this Sunday.

Background & Word Study

Hebrews OverviewHeb Overview BibleProject

Animated overview of Hebrews' structure and its 'great cloud of witnesses'.

Hebrews 11:8 InterlinearHeb 11:8 Interlinear BibleHub

Greek word study on faith and Abraham's obedience.

The Church Fathers

Hebrews 11 CatenaHeb 11 Catena Catena

Patristic readings on faith and the example of Abraham.

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  • Full sermons on Luke 12:32-48 or Luke 12:35-40
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  • Commentary, quotes, and Bible dictionary
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