(James Tissot)
"Zacchaeus . . . I must stay at your house."
The Word for Sunday: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/103016.cfm
Wis 11: 22
– 12: 2
Thes 1: 11
– 2:2
Lk 19:
1-10
We are
well aware of Jesus’ sometimes harsh teaching on the danger of riches. Through parables of the rich and poor, such
as Lazarus and the rich man, he warns his disciples about how difficult it can
be for the rich to embrace his words.
His well-known encounter with the well-meaning young rich man who prided
himself on living by the letter of the sacred Law yet desired to “justify”
himself when he asked about who his neighbor was, might be somewhat confusing
to us at times. It certainly was a
shocker in the time of Jesus. For riches
were seen as a blessing from God; while the “sinners” or the sickly were cursed
because of their sin. So, as the
impression went, God rewards good and righteous behavior while he punishes
transgressions.
Yet, Jesus’
teaching was far more about the dangers of greed and selfishness rather than
riches themselves. Let’s face it; it’s
nice to have nice things. When you have
nice things and many advantages due to wealth, it’s tough to sacrifice. So wealth creates a kind of mind set that
potentially can fly in the face of God’s call to generosity and compassion for
others. The super wealthy millionaires and billionaires are particularly challenged
since wealth becomes their identity. But,
this Sunday’s Gospel points to a man who was indeed financially wealthy.
The very
detailed story in our Gospel this Sunday of Jesus’ odd encounter with a man
named Zacchaeus, who had more than one strike against him, is so human. First,
he was “short of stature.” That may not seem like much to us but the
average adult height in Jesus’ time was about 5’8”. So Zacchaeus must have been short enough that
standing behind the crowd blocked his view all together. He must have appeared odd to others. I wonder
if they deliberately blocked his line of sight by forming a line in front of
him? Not out of the question perhaps.
Secondly,
shunned already due to his despised profession of a chief tax collector, whose
wealth obviously came to him through his dishonest squandering from others who now
face the fact there is no more since Zacchaeus took it, he likely was deliberately
ignored by the crowd. In Jesus time it was believed that only so much of
everything was available. If you were
wealthy it probably meant that you took from others who now have nothing more
to replace it.
In spite
of these negatives, Zacchaeus remained determined to “see who Jesus was.” Considering Zacchaeus reputation, why would he
want to see Jesus? For some financial or
professional gain? As the story continues we see more virtuous motives.
Luke tells
us that Jesus “intended to pass through
the town.” That is Jericho which
sits hundreds of feet below Jerusalem out in the desert. So, the clue is perhaps that Jesus encounter
with Zacchaeus was an unexpected surprise.
Yet, he stops at the sight of this odd little man peering down above him
from a sycamore tree. Picture it.
Jesus with
the eyes of his heart and his entire mission in play to save the lost, stops
below
Zacchaeus,
looks up and speaks to him: “Zacchaeus,
come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house.” It seems that
Zacchaeus is caught off guard. Perhaps
all he wanted was the sight of this famous preacher and wonder worker passing
by, like catching a glimpse of a movie star or famous sports figure or the Pope
in St. Peter Square.
Unexpectedly
impressed Zacchaeus scurries down the tree to welcome this charismatic man. But,
he is publically criticized by the crowd as is Jesus: “He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner.” Is there no shame or limit to who Jesus will
hang out with?
Despite
this, Zacchaeus boldly defends himself and promises to very generously “give to the poor” or to “repay “anyone he may have “extorted.” So moved was he by Jesus complimentary
request, that he took a stand to proclaim his gratitude by becoming a new
person. This encounter with Jesus, who sought
out Zacchaeus, forever changed this man’s life. But, Luke reminds us, through Zacchaeus response, that he really isn't that bad. His promise of generosity is impressive but Jesus offers even more. He takes away his stigma from the crowd's prejudicial commentary. Zacchaeus, despite his short stature, can now stand tall.
And so we
are reminded about not only the mission God fulfilled in Christ but also about
God’s constant search for our hearts. In
so many ways, Jesus displayed this divine intent in his parables – think of the
Father in the Prodigal Son – that we must place ourselves in the person of
Zacchaeus. Not our personal wealth which
Jesus didn’t care about, but a heart that longs for something more. Zacchaeus’s desire to see who Jesus was must
have been born of an inner emptiness or a perceived need – “Is this all there
is?”
God does not
condemn and punish; he searches and longs for our response. For our desire to find him who is a treasure
beyond any earthly wealth. Maybe we
deliberately hide from the Lord at times?
We’d rather stand behind the crowd and hope we’re not sighted. Yet, God knows our hearts and hopes we find
him who is looking for us.
Our first
reading from the Book of Wisdom reminds us that all which God has created has
great value in his sight: “But you have
mercy on all . . . you overlook people’s sins that they may repent.” Jesus didn’t grill Zacchaeus about his past
transgressions. He well knew them.
Rather his invites himself to dinner; he longs to “abide” with Zacchaeus that
through his presence and mercy, this man will forever be changed; the new Zacchaeus
indeed through God’s abundant mercy.
While we
must never minimize our sin but face it for the truth, we need not fear God for
he already knows our hearts and our lives.
Yet, like Zacchaeus we need to find that longing for something more; for
something better and more deeply fulfilling.
And so our
celebration of the Holy Eucharist is a perpetual memory of what God has done
for us through the outpouring of his Son’s love for humanity. He searches and longs for each of us.
We enter his
house to embrace his invitation to dine with him in Word and Sacrament.
You are indeed Holy and to be glorified, O God,
who love the human race
and who always walk with us on the journey of life.
Blessed indeed is your son,
present in our midst
when we are gathered by his love
and when, as once for the disciples, so now for us,
he opens the Scriptures and breaks the bread.
(From Eucharistic Prayer IV for use
in Masses for various needs.)
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