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Ryan Clevenger's avatar

The Levitical reading reminds me of Mark Garcia's work at The Greystone Institute. Don't know if you're familiar with it but here's a link to some blog posts that discuss it https://www.greystoneinstitute.org/wince-sing/category/The+Levitical+Woman

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Rev. Jack Franicevich's avatar

Mark is a good friend who lives in a neighboring borough!

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Ryan Clevenger's avatar

Nice! Must be something in the water haha

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Colin's avatar

Reading the parables in light of OT stories sounds fascinating. I’m curious about the Isaac connection… will have to think about that more.

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Rev. Jack Franicevich's avatar

I have no idea what the Isaac reading will illuminate. But my first instinct is to read this parable as a parable *of the sower*, and not *of the seed* or *of the soils.* (sure, there's value in our moral and existential reflection on the soil of our own hearts, but perhaps this shouldn't be our primary reading, or the reading commended by Torah).

Genesis 26 is about Isaac's blessing and wealth. Matthew 13 (or Mark 4) may be about the sower's wealth.

The other mention of 30-, 60-, and 100-fold yield is in the dominical exhortation to give up land, houses, and family in the faith/hope that those who do will receive that much.

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