Gospel Reflections for November 3 2019
The Jesus Vision
Zacchaeus is the Jewish Tax Collector for the Romans …and despised by everyone! Why is that?
The Romans did not actually pay salaries to Jews like Zacchaeus who collected their taxes. He was expected to make a living by over-charging his fellow Jews and then keeping the difference. Of course, tax collectors would overcharge widows and the elderly more since they had no one to defend them. Worse still, Zaccheus was a wealthy man, so he was especially good at fleecing the weak and defenseless! Although a man of short stature, he towered among tax collectors as a corrupt and greedy man.
We don’t know why he wanted to see Jesus that day but we can certainly understand why he avoided the crowd by climbing up a tree!
Jesus sees Zaccheus differently. He looks up at him hiding in the tree and amazingly says “I want to stay at your house!” That must have shocked the crowd …and especially Zaccheus!
While the crowd sees Zaccheus as a dangerous social parasite, Jesus sees a human person capable of changing and living a new life. Jesus recognizes that everyone has a past, sometimes filled with sin, but also affirms that you should never think that your past life determines your future. Our Lord’s surprising invitation to Zacchaeus affirms that you should never believe that you are a victim of your past!
Zaccheus receives this unexpected invitation well and responds even better. From his place way up in the tree, he quickly comes down and “stands his ground” before the crowd. He announces a complete change of life and will even make good on all that he has done wrong. This is an astounding reversal for a person once hiding in a tree and now squarely facing his enemies. Where did this courage come from? It always comes from meeting Jesus. Our Lord affirms that change for a better life is always possible. He gives us the courage to make that happen!
This Gospel affirms Our Lord’s overwhelming power to reach into the souls of all people and turn them around. It also affirms the goodness that comes from within every person, even Zacchaeus, who is willing to accept that grace. Our Lord can turn every bad life into a good one.
We can be glad for Zaccheus that Jesus saw him in a new person and with profound love. You can be sure Our Lord looks at you in the same way.
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
How precious our loving Jesus is!! He love us, forgives us, transforms us, gives His life for us so that we can become one with Him and live eternally in joy with Him in Heaven!! Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee our precious Faith!!! and loveeeeeeeeeeee you for giving us Jesus’ LOVE!!!
Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, Franca and Dick
Well said!
Like Zaccheus, my life has been changing since 2000 when I returned to the Catholic church after over 40 years of being a “fallen away” Catholic. All it took was a Married Couples retreat to Medjugorje. Seems as though God, the Blessed Virgin and my wife, a devout Irish Catholic are constantly working on me.
I am glad you found your trip to Medjugorje so life changing. It is a very special place for me as well.
Dear Father,
As always, thank you Father for your great homily. As the winter and holiday seasons’ approaching, the reading today reminds me of the great story teller, Charles Dickens, who wrote the Christmas Carol. I believe Dickens’ character, “Scrooge”, is “Zacchaeus” in the scriptures today. From a musical movie of Scrooge in 1970, Scrooge started out with this musical line “I hate people…” and later he ended the story with this line, “I like life…” after his conversions.
Hopefully Zacchaeus is at a retirement age as Scrooge; otherwise he is also making himself an enemy to those who used to be his family, associates and friends. As Jesus warned us, changes are not easy and being his followers, we will face many difficulties.
Very interesting and helpful insight! I like the Scrooge/Zacchaeus connection. Two lives dramatically changed for the better!
I had to take time to think about this Gospel. As humans we look at people with one set of eyes. When looking at others we somehow (with God`s Spirit) of course look to see the potential. Jesus saw it in this reading. I pray to be able to see what God wants me to see.
We all need to keep praying for that special eyesight that Jesus had.
I love the line “It always comes from Jesus.” Made me stop and reread.
Thanks for the words
You are very welcome!
We love your weekly writing …we miss you….
Jan and Joan
Thank you! I will always remember well my years in the Conejo Valley