Luke 13:18-29 (12th Saturday of Luke)

^{(Read on the Saturday before Nativity also, sometimes read two weeks in a row)}

The Lord said, "What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it?  It is like a grain of mustard seed which a man took and sowed in his garden; and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches."  And again he said, "To what shall I compare the kingdom of God?  It is like leaven which a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened."  He went on his way through towns and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem.  And some one said to him, "Lord, will those who are saved be few?" And he said to them,  "Strive to enter by the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.  When once the householder has risen up and shut the door, you will begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, 'Lord, open to us.' He will answer you, 'I do not know where you come from.'  Then you will begin to say, 'We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.'  But he will say, 'I tell you, I do not know where you come from; depart from me, all you workers of iniquity!'  There you will weep and gnash your teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God and you yourselves thrust out.  And men will come from east and west, and from north and south, and sit at table in the kingdom of God.