[Begin
Standard Lectionary] Jesus went
through one town and village after another, teaching as
he made his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him, "Lord,
will only a few be saved?" He said to them, "Strive
to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you,
will try to enter and will not be able. When once the
owner of the house has got up and shut the door, and you
begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying,
'Lord, open to us,' then in reply he will say to you,
'I do not know where you come from.' Then you will begin
to say, 'We ate and drank with you, and you taught in
our streets.' But he will say, 'I do not know where you
come from; go away from me, all you evildoers!' There
will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham
and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom
of God, and you yourselves thrown out. Then people will
come from east and west, from north and south, and will
eat in the kingdom of God. Indeed, some are last who will
be first, and some are first who will be last."
[Begin RCL] Some Pharisees came and
said to Jesus, "Get away from here, for Herod wants
to kill you." He said to them, "Go and tell
that fox for me, 'Listen, I am casting out demons and
performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third
day I finish my work. Yet today, tomorrow, and the next
day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for
a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.' Jerusalem,
Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones
those who are sent to it! How often have I desired
to gather your children together as a hen gathers her
brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See,
your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not
see me until the time comes when you say, 'Blessed is
the one who comes in the name of the Lord.'"
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