O LORD, and lover of souls!

 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time: October 30, 2022

Readings: Wisdom 11:22–12:2; Psalm 145:1–2, 8–11, 13–14; 2 Thessalonians 1:11–2:2; Luke 19:1–10

(Jesus and Zaccheus)
To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/Krh75_OGhJU

Often change does not happen by itself. We have to wait for that opportunity or an occasion, where something triggers and change takes place. What is constant is change. Therefore, there is nothing permanent in this world. However, if one is not ready for change, then it is difficult to notice the effects of change.  The liturgical readings on this 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time, invite us to look for changes in life, especially when our lives are not attuned to the Will of God.

1. Curiosity wins

For any learning or improvement in one's quality of life, one has to develop a deep sense of curiosity. It is said that curiosity is the mother of all learning. The more one is curious, one learns or invents. If a person is disinterested or nothing bothers him about the happenings around him, such a person will lose the sense of purpose in life. To see and be seen, according to Brene Brown, is the greatest gift of love. Today’s gospel Luke 19:1–10 provides a powerful example of what this love looks like in action. Zaccheaus, the tax collector was an ardent curious person. He was not only short in physical stature but also in moral standing. He not only realized the importance of Jesus in and around Palestine but also in his life.

Being a businessman, Mathew knew the happenings around him. Therefore he wanted to see Jesus at his workplace. Perhaps the way Zaccheus wanted to have a glance at Jesus was a pure business perspective. If he had really wanted to have a change of life, Zaccheus would have tried other ways to meet Jesus and confess his wrongdoings. Being a practical man, Zaccheus climbs a sycamore tree to see him. Jesus surprises him by standing just below the tree and inviting him to come down from the tree. In fact, Jesus astonishes him with his attentiveness. Moreover, Jesus recognizes in the person of Mathew something special that would make him completely a different person. All the more Jesus invites himself to his house. Such a blunt offer from the part of Jesus begins to turn things very quietly and in a very fast successive manner in the tax collector and his household. Often what seems to be natural turns out to be supernatural when a person allows himself to be drawn by it and is ready to embrace a change.

2. Meeting with Jesus brings newness to life

Each one of us makes mistakes and is fallible. Zaccheus is not immune to that. He too made mistakes. He was part of the sinful structure that made him part of it. He did not know how to get out of it. He needed some practical help. Certainly, he must have tried to get out of this mess but must have been very hard and didn’t see the possibilities. Probably he must have thought by seeing Jesus in person about whom he had heard so much would help him to get back to normal as well as to a respectable life.

Often we swirl around in the mess of life trying to get out of wickedness with all our efforts. Perhaps there are evil tendencies within us, which might not be leaving us in spite of our best efforts. In such moments of darkness, we must have a spirit like that of Zaccheus ready to get out of our comfort zones and embark on a journey, which might be difficult and tough but necessary. Even to the point of getting ashamed and of feeling that somebody has noticed me. 

3. God visits in our tenderness 

What differentiates Zaccheus from other tax collectors of his time is his openness to the spirit. He humbles himself to be moved by the person of Jesus. He must have been moved by a spirit that might have told him to go and see Jesus. Being a busy man, Zaccheus found his only working time as the best time to see him. As a coincidence, Jesus comes to his place. Perhaps, Jesus must have also heard about Zaccheus, probably his notorious ways of collecting taxes and often more than supposed to. It is a providence that both Jesus and Zaccheus meet and have quality time with the household of the tax collector. God visits us in our workplaces. It is not necessary that God must meet us only in Churches, charismatic retreats, and chapels. God is truly present when we make time for him that could be anytime, anywhere, and everywhere. From our part what is necessary is a deep desire for change and a welcoming spirit to accept the guest who enters our heart in such a hidden and incommunicable way. 

The power of repentance and forgiveness is unbelievably tremendous. Jesus did not bother about the crowd which had already labeled Zaccheus as a sinner and public scandal. Instead, Jesus gives his time for him, all the more, he goes to his house to dine with his family. That is the large-heartedness of Jesus. Zaccheus also welcomes to his company of reformed men many more such tax collectors who were at his home. What is fascinating is the sincerity and purity of the heart of Zaccheus to publicly and openly accept his faults and failures and the remedies that he himself proposes. Jesus has no remedies to propose except to appreciate Zaccheus' largeheartedness and grant him salvation.

4. God accommodates our wholeness

God does not have prejudices as we do in our dealings with others. God does not want anyone to be lost on account of evil but desires salvation. Each one struggles to find a future, indeed a better future in God’s mercy. Therefore our failures should not discourage us. God comes to our aid bringing Salvation. He knows our hearts. He knows our struggles, looks at our hearts and allows us to open up to him. 

Let’s be men and women who make conscious choices and never by the opinion of others. It matters a lot when we make such choices because we participate in God’s consciousness as well. God that we have chosen to follow is slow to anger and compassionate toward all that he has made. God’s love extends to all. This strong faith brings us salvation, and humility leads to conversion and exaltation. If we have been judgmental then let’s try to take a second look at those who don’t deserve this treatment. Let’s stop wearing colored and blurred glasses and really look at Jesus working in and through our lives. Thus God may make us worthy of His calling, that by our lives we might give glory to the name of Jesus.

Questions for reflections

1. Did you have any time an experience like Zaccheus being visited by Jesus unexpectedly? 
2. When did you experience God’s tender mercy last time?
3. How can you work out a plan to be non-judgmental and non-biased in your dealings with others?

Prayer:

Merciful loving God, we thank you for the gift of salvation you have given us through your Son Jesus Christ. We ask you to strengthen us to live our lives without judging others, instead caring for others and always showing the mercy and compassion that you have taught us. We make this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.

- Olvin Veigas, SJ

October 28, 2022