Readings: Apocalypse 3:1-6,14-22, Ps. 15:2-5, Luke 19:1-10
“All who saw it began to grumble and said, ‘He has gone to be the guest of one who is a sinner.’ Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, ‘Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much.’” (Luke 19:7-8)
Like the Centurion, Zacchaeus never considered his house worthy enough to host the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Hearing Jesus say to him, “Come down; I must stay at your house today,” probably felt like a dream.
- There was no time to prepare for Jesus. If Jesus had given him some days’ notice, Zacchaeus would have rushed to put his house in order, cleaned up the place, and put up a show (pretend), but Jesus wanted to meet Zacchaeus just as he was.
- I remember when, as a minor seminarian, I had a visit from a very senior priest on holiday. I felt like running off to hide because I was ashamed that this priest saw me in boxers (without even a shirt on), sweating profusely, and playing with the other kids in the area. At the same time, I was super excited to see someone of such high standing visit me.
- This priest’s coming to my house was a sign that I was somebody, that the diocese was thinking of me, and that I had a future! The priest spent not more than ten minutes in the house, but that visit greatly impacted my life. Returning to the seminary the following academic year, I became more serious than ever.
- The presence of Jesus in Zacchaeus’ house allowed Zacchaeus to look deeply at himself and examine his conscience. Zacchaeus heard the murmurings of those saying that he was not in the class with Jesus and that Jesus must be doing a great disservice to his image by venturing to enter Zacchaeus’ house. Zacchaeus must have said to himself, “Am I that bad?” Of course, he didn’t need anyone to tell him, “Repent!”
- Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord: “Look, half of my possessions, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much.” Then Jesus said: “Today, salvation has come to this house because he too is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:8-10).
- In Zacchaeus, we see a “Prodigal Son” whose conscience spoke to him. After hearing about Jesus, he desired to see him, but considering his height, he climbed a tree. The prodigal son knew he no longer deserved to be in his Father’s presence, so he chose to appeal for the position of a slave in his father’s house. Like Zaccheaus, we have all sinned against God, and we have various physical and spiritual defects (such as bad habits we struggle with). However, Jesus wants to see our efforts. What am I doing to make up for my deformities?
- When Zacchaeus announced he would be giving half his possessions to the poor and restoring the fortunes of those he had defrauded, he was repeating the action of the merchant in search of fine pearls who, upon finding one pearl of great value, sold all that he had to buy this pearl. Zaccheus had just found what money cannot buy and was willing to relinquish all his wealth to get it. He, who was lost to the worship of material riches, was now on the path to eternal salvation.
- Zacchaeus’s pledge to restore all he had taken by fraud reminds us of one important aspect of repentance – restitution. It is never enough to say: “I am sorry.” We must try to repair the damage or return what we have stolen.
- Jesus did not have to preach to Zacchaeus, but somehow, he got the same message Jesus told the rich man who came seeking a means to inherit eternal life. Jesus said: “You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.” (Mark 10:21).
- The good news is that the same Jesus who became a guest in the home of Zacchaeus is standing at your door right now. St. John, in today’s first reading, quotes Jesus: “Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will enter his house and dine with him, and he with me…” Jesus wants to meet you as you are; let Him enter. If you can feel Jesus’ presence, you don’t need anyone to tell you to step up and walk away from those things you are too ashamed to have Jesus catch you doing.
Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, come into our lives today and change us forever. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Tuesday of week 33 in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Apocalypse 3:1-6,14-22, Ps. 15:2-5, Luke 19:1-10).
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu