Tuesday 15 November 2022

Today is Tuesday the 15th of November, in the 33rd week of Ordinary time.

Paul Zach and Sandra McCracken with the Porter’s Gate sing, ‘The Zacchaeus Song’.

Jesus our Lord came to seek and to save
He sought me out and He called me by name
Foolish and proud, like a sheep gone astray
He said, "Child, to your house I will come today"
Much I have gained but I'll give even more
Half of my wealth it was robbed from the poor
O this injustice! Lord, help me restore
For You called me by name and said, "Sin no more"
Salvation has come
Salvation has come to this house today
He said it's more blessed to give than receive
To open my hands to the ones I've deceived
To bring reparation of all I have thieved
Hallelujah, hallelujah, yes, now I can see
Salvation has come
Salvation has come to this house today
What I've taken from the poor: I will give it all away
And their cries won't be ignored: I will give it all away
Let Your justice be restored: I will give it all away
What I thought was mine is yours: I will give it all away
Jesus our Lord comes to seek and to save
The broken, the lost, and the sheep gone astray
O lay down your treasures, for they're just golden chains
He says, "Child, I will come to your house today"

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke.

Luke 19:1-10

He entered Jericho and was passing through it. A man was there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax-collector and was rich. He was trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see him, because he was going to pass that way. When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, ‘Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today.’ So he hurried down and was happy to welcome him. 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.’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘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.’

Zacchaeus is trying to see who Jesus is but is too short to manage. He does what’s needed to get a good view. Is there something that makes it difficult for you to see who Jesus is? Who do you say that he is? What other names would you give him? Who is Jesus for you?

Jesus does not hesitate to enter into Zacchaeus’s space. He always comes to us where we are. Do you feel ready to receive him into your space? What might you need to do in order to make room for him in your life? Are there any choices or decisions you might want to make in response to his presence?

As we listen again to the reading, notice any points that stand out for you and stay with them and with Jesus as you listen.

Zacchaeus is not afraid to be singled out for Jesus’s attention. It’s why he made the effort to climb the tree in the first place. Is there something that you want to say to Jesus that emerges from your reflections? Take time to let him know your needs and desires.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.