2) Gospel Reading - Luke 13,18-21
[18] He said therefore, "What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? [19] 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." [20] And again he said, "To what shall I compare the kingdom of God? [21] It is like leaven which a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened." [22] He went on his way through towns and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem.
Along the road that leads Him to Jerusalem, Jesus is surrounded by “thousands” of persons (11, 29) who crowd around him. The reason for such attraction from the crowds is the Word of Jesus. In chapter 12 one can notice how the people who listen to his Word alternate: the disciples (12, 1-12), the crowd (vv.13-21), the disciples (vv.22-53), the crowds (vv.54-59). IThe scandal of death is the dominating theme of Luke 13, 1-35. In the first part it is spoken about as the death of all (vv.1-9), in the second part, the death of Jesus (vv.31-35) and then to the death avoided by sinners because their conversion is expected. But there is another theme together with the dominant one: the salvation given to men. The cure of the woman who was bent, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan had held for eighteen years, is liberated by Jesus. And in the center of this chapter 13 we find two parables that constitute the overall theme: The Kingdom of God as compared to the “mustard seed” and to the “leaven or yeast”.
• The Kingdom of God is similar to a mustard seed. Such a seed is very common in Palestine and particularly close to the Lake of Galilee. It is especially known because it is particularly small. In Luke 17, 6, Jesus uses such an image to express the hope that He has for the disciples that they have a at least a small seed of faith: “If you had faith like a mustard seed...”. This parable, which is very simple, confronts two diverse moments in the story of the seed: the moment when it is sown in the earth (the modest beginnings) and when it becomes a tree (the final miracle). Therefore, the purpose of this account is to narrate the extraordinary growth of a seed that is thrown in one’s own garden, and to this follows an amazing growth as it becomes a tree. Like this seed, the Kingdom of God also has its story. The Kingdom of God is the seed thrown into the garden, the place that in the New Testament is the place of the agony and the burial of Jesus (Jn 18, 1.26; 19, 41). Then it follows the moment of growth and concludes with becoming a tree open to all.

2) Gospel Reading - Luke 13,18-21
[18] He said therefore, "What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? [19] 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." [20] And again he said, "To what shall I compare the kingdom of God? [21] It is like leaven which a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened." [22] He went on his way through towns and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem.

The Healing of Blind Bartimaeus

Mark 10: 46                    They came to Jericho. As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’ 48 Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’ 49 Jesus stood still and said, ‘Call him here.’ And they called the blind man, saying to him, ‘Take heart; get up, he is calling you.’ 50 So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. 51 Then Jesus said to him, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ The blind man said to him, ‘My teacher, let me see again.’ 52 Jesus said to him, ‘Go; your faith has made you well.’ Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.

Gospel LK 12:54-59
Jesus said to the crowds,
“When you see a cloud rising in the west
you say immediately that it is going to rain–and so it does;
and when you notice that the wind is blowing from the south
you say that it is going to be hot–and so it is.
You hypocrites!
You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky;
why do you not know how to interpret the present time?

“Why do you not judge for yourselves what is right?
If you are to go with your opponent before a magistrate,
make an effort to settle the matter on the way;
otherwise your opponent will turn you over to the judge,
and the judge hand you over to the constable,
and the constable throw you into prison.
I say to you, you will not be released
until you have paid the last penny.

The Request of James and John
35 James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him and said to him, ‘Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.’ 36 And he said to them, ‘What is it you want me to do for you?’ 37 And they said to him, ‘Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.’ 38 But Jesus said to them, ‘You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink or be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?’ 39 They replied, ‘We are able.’ Then Jesus said to them, ‘The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; 40 but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.’
41 When the ten heard this, they began to be angry with James and John. 42 So Jesus called them and said to them, ‘You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. 43 But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. 45 For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.’

LUKE  42- 54:  But woe to you Pharisees! for you tax mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God; these you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.  [43] Woe to you Pharisees! for you love the best seat in the synagogues and salutations in the market places.  [44] Woe to you! for you are like graves which are not seen, and men walk over them without knowing it."  [45]  One of the lawyers answered him, "Teacher, in saying this you reproach us also."  [46] And he said, "Woe to you lawyers also! for you load men with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves do not touch the burdens with one of your fingers.  [47] Woe to you! for you build the tombs of the prophets whom your fathers killed.  [48] So you are witnesses and consent to the deeds of your fathers; for they killed them, and you build their tombs.  [49] Therefore also the Wisdom of God said, `I will send them prophets and apostles, some of whom they will kill and persecute,'  [50] that the blood of all the prophets, shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation,  [51] from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who perished between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, it shall be required of this generation.  [52] Woe to you lawyers! for you have taken away the key of knowledge; you did not enter yourselves, and you hindered those who were entering."  [53]  As he went away from there, the scribes and the Pharisees began to press him hard, and to provoke him to speak of many things,  [54] lying in wait for him, to catch at something he might say.

Luke.11       [1]  He was praying in a certain place, and when he ceased, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples."  [2] And he said to them, "When you pray, say:  "Father, holy be your name.  your kingdom comes.  [3] Give us each day our daily bread; [4] and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us; and lead us not into temptation." 
[9] And I tell you, Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.  [10] For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.  [11] What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; [12] or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?  [13] If you then, who are malicious, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!"

Jesus Blesses Little Children

MARK 10            13 People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. 14 But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. 15 Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.’ 16 And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.