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8th Sunday after Pentecost (cycle a)

Proper 11 (16), year A
 

"Collect the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.'" Mt 13:30
 

Texts & Discussion:
Genesis 28:10-19a
Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24
or
Isaiah 44:6-8
Psalm 86:11-17

Romans 8:12-25
Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

Other Resources:

Commentary:

Matthew Henry,    Wesley

Word Study:
Robertson

This Week's Themes:

God's Justice & Salvation
Freedom from Bondage
Meeting God


 


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 Texts in Context | Commentary:   PsalterFirst LessonEpistleGospel | Prayer&Litanies |  
Hymns & Songs
| Children's Sermons | Sermons based on Texts

Sh*t Happens
Matthew 13:24-30
by Rev. Frank Schaefer

 I find this parable very meaningful as in it Jesus acknowledges that bad things happen. They happen anywhere and to everybody. And they happen to good people. They are part of life. Jesus is not denying that bad things happen and that is in stark contrast to some religions and even Christian movements who deny that there is real suffering. The Christian Science denomination, for instance, believes that bad things, including illnesses, are not real. They are believed to be only symptomatic and that you can overcome these bad things by focusing on the positive, on healing--by ignoring their reality and power.

But Jesus is not teaching this, he acknowledges the reality of evil and suffering. And if you live in the real world, then you know that sh*t happens sometimes. Here are some humorous examples of when sh*t happens …[continue]

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