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Sermon.07.26.20.Proper12A St. Paul’s Episcopal – Brookings Fr. Larry Ort Genesis 29.15-28; Psalm 105.1-11, 45b; Romans 8.26-39; Matthew 13.31-33, 44-52 Today’s gospel reading omits verses 34 – 43. Actually, we covered verses 36 – 43 last week – Jesus’ interpretation of the parable of the weeds. But what about verses 34 – 35? What has been omitted? One reads, “Jesus told the crowds all these things in parables; without a parable he told them nothing. This was to fulfill what h

Sermon.07.19.20.Proper11A St. Paul’s Episcopal – Brookings Fr. Larry Ort Genesis 28.10-19a; Psalm 139.1-11, 22-23; Romans 8.12-25; Matthew 13.24-30, 36-43 Last Sunday we focused on the Parable of the Sower. I quoted Barbara Brown Taylor’s interpretation: The focus is not on us and our shortfalls but on the generosity of our maker, the prolific sower who does not obsess about the condition of the fields, who is not stingy with the seed but who casts it everywhere, on good soil

Sermon.07.12.20 St. Paul’s Episcopal – Brookings Fr. Larry Ort Genesis 25.19-34; Psalm 119.105-112; Romans 8.1-11; Matthew 13.1-9, 18-23 Last Sunday we considered Jesus’ invitation: “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11.28-30; NRSV). We noted this

Sermon.07.05.20 St. Paul’s Episcopal – Brookings Fr. Larry Ort Genesis 24.34-38, 42-4 9, 58-67; Psalm 45.11-18; Romans 7.15-25a; Matthew 11.16-19, 25-30 In the verses preceding today’s gospel reading, John the Baptist while imprisoned, having heard of Jesus teaching and activities, sent his disciples to Jesus to ask if he were the Messiah. As you may recall, Jesus did not give him a straightforward yes or no answer – he instructed his disciples to go and tell John what they h