Saving What Was Lost ~ M. A. Allen

Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time

Wis 11:22 - 12:2
Ps 145:1-2, 8-9, 10-11. 13, 14
2 Thes 1:11 - 2:2
Luke 19: 1-10

The theme for the Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time is repentance. To have sorrow and to regret one's sins moves a person to repent. We know there is no salvation without repentance; for without God's forgiveness, we cannot be admitted to the Kingdom of Heaven.

Jesus uses the example of Zacchaeus to show us how God welcomes even a despised tax collector to be part of His Kingdom.

As we recall, Zacchaeus wished to see Jesus so badly that he made an extra effort to ensure that he would be able to. Why was Zacchaeus so interested in Jesus? Had he heard wonderful stories about cures; or that Jesus welcomed sinners to be his companions and did not make distinctions between the righteous and the despised and unclean?

Whatever the reason, something was happening to Zacchaeus. He obviously knew that he had cheated his clients and had become a wealthy man because of it. Did something not seem right anymore?

What was probably initially curiosity about Jesus became his great joy when Jesus singled Zacchaeus out and called to him as he sat on his perch in the tree. "Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house." (Luke 19:5)

The presence of Jesus in the house of Zacchaeus changed him interiorly. He would never be the same. He repented of the times he cheated his clients and promised to make amends. Jesus accepted Zacchaeus' confession of his wrongdoing and forgave him; for what else could Jesus have meant when he told Zacchaeus: "Today salvation has come to this house because this man too is a descendant of Abraham". (Luke 19:9)

The story of Zacchaeus relates to our lives today. As we repent of our sins, we receive the Lord in Holy Communion, just as Zacchaeus received the Lord into his home. Through this Communion with the Lord, we experience an interior change, just as Zacchaeus did.

"The Lord lifts up all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down." (Ps 145:14)



~ Image from Christians Unite