Zacchaeus

Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time Mass Readings

First Reading: Wisdom 11:22-12:2
Responsorial: Psalm 145:1-2, 8-11, 13-14
Second Reading: 2 Thessalonians 1:11-2:2
Gospel: Luke 19:1-10

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/110319.cfm

In today’s Gospel we hear the story of Zacchaeus, the short-statured tax collector who climbed a tree as Jesus was passing through Jericho. Can you imagine what it would have looked like to see Zacchaeus in a tree straining to catch a glimpse of Jesus? Can you imagine the smile that crossed Jesus’ face when he looked up and saw Zacchaeus? Now picture the look on Zacchaeus’ face when Jesus invited himself to dinner at his house. I suspect he was beside himself with joy!

My brothers and sisters, how many of us, I wonder, have done things in our lives that we are not particularly proud of? You see, Zacchaeus the tax collector who not only was a collaborator with the Roman occupiers, but who earned his income by adding a surcharge to the taxes he collected for Rome. Some might say the tax collectors extorted the people. And yet, Zacchaeus was a seeker. Something was missing in his life and he hungered for more. So, he came out hoping to see Jesus.

Jesus chose him for company at dinner. To enter a home, as Jesus did, was huge. When enemies would share a meal for example, it would have been an act of peace. So, Jesus eating with Zacchaeus was essentially an act of reconciliation.

Perhaps Jesus could see that Zacchaeus, like the prodigal son, was trying to find a way to return home to the Father. His gesture of climbing the tree to see Jesus was like the prodigal son walking home. Like the father who runs to greet his son, Jesus reaches out to meet Zacchaeus, figuratively speaking.

The Eucharist comes out of this eastern tradition where enemies eating together are reconciled and where we by our participation can be reconciled. The Eucharist can help us to do what we might not be able to do, or willing to do on our own – like seek forgiveness and healing.

But that’s not the end of the story. No! Moved with great joy by this act of reconciliation, Zacchaeus promises to amend his life and to donate a significant portion of his wealth to the poor and to repay those he’s extorted with interest. Wow! Such a sacrifice couldn’t be easy for him to actually carry out. Can you imagine? What would it do to your home to give away half of your possessions and to repay anyone you’ve taken money from four times over?

That, I think, is precisely the point. We, especially those of us in the west who want for little, are challenged to down-size, de-clutter and simplify our lives as best we can. But here’s the catch. It’s not really our things, our possessions or our wealth that is the problem. It’s our attachment to those things that’s the real problem. We might imagine we can’t do without them, so divestiture never enters our minds. Much to the chagrin of our family and friends, we might hoard the oddest things, like aluminum foil, or plastic bags, or whatever. At some level this means that we place more confidence in those things than in anyone else let alone Jesus Christ. As we find in Psalm 33:17, “A vain hope for safety is the horse; despite its power it cannot save.”

No thing – nothing can save us. Our salvation comes from Christ alone! I think Zacchaeus understood that.

Homework! Nourished by the Word of God proclaimed, and, in the Eucharist, I encourage you to reflect on the following:

As we approach Advent, now is a good time to clean out our closets and get rid of our excess – things we really don’t need. So, as you’re pulling out Christmas decorations, make a plan to get rid of the things you really don’t need.
Look through the places in your heart where you might store hurts or pains that you’re clinging to for whatever reason. As we approach Advent, now is a good time to allow the healing power of Holy Spirit to wash away the muck in our hearts and be reconciled to Jesus Christ.

Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Now go and make disciples! May Almighty God bless you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit! +Amen!

Church teaching: