The word of the day is “faith.” Today’s reading from Hebrews is a memorial of the Old Testament saints who by faith persevered in the hope for the coming of the Messiah, the Christ.  In Hebrews 11:9-10, 17-23, 32-40, we read of the faithful witness of those who endured incredible suffering as they firmly clung to God’s promise, a pledge that is now fulfilled in the birth of the Savior. Heroes and Heroines of Faith In today’s passage, the writer of Hebrews names the ancients: Abel, Enoch, and Noah.  He recalls the patriarchs: Abraham and Sarah, Isaac, Jacob. The apostle brings to mind: Joseph, Moses, Joshua, deon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets  (vs. 11:4-32). Then he recounts…