but worldly cares and the deceitfulness of wealth and the excessive pursuit of other objects come in and stifle the Message, and it becomes unfruitful.

yet when sown it springs up and becomes larger than all the herbs, and throws out great branches, so that the birds build under its shadow."

King Herod heard of all this (for the name of Jesus had become widely known)

Salt is a good thing, but if the salt should become tasteless, what will you use to give it saltness? Have salt within you and live at peace with one another."

"Remember," said Peter to Him, "that we forsook everything and have become your followers."

"Have you not read even this passage," He added, "'The stone which the builders rejected has become the Cornerstone:

"Learn from the fig-tree the lesson it teaches. As soon as its branch has become soft and it is bursting into leaf, you know that summer is near.