"Sandcastles on the Beach"—9th Sun after Pentecost (Proper 12)

This day's lections (see here): O God, the protector of all who trust in you, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy: Increase and multiply upon us your mercy; that, with you as our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal, that we lose not the things eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.1 Kings 3:9–12Ps 119:129–36Rom 8:26–39Mt 13:31–33, 44–52Note: during this current season of "Ordinary Time," we are following "Track 2" of the Revised Common Lectionary.Preached on Sun, July 30, 2023 at St. George's Austin.