The readings for Sunday, November 3, 2019 offer us some advice to consider. The first reading from the Book of Wisdom (Wisdom 11:22-12:1) speaks of the mercy and forgiveness of our Lord. It reminds us that we are small and insignificant as compared to the ways of God.
Even the whole entire world cannot “more than tip a balance, like a drop of morning dew falling on the ground” (Wisdom 11:22). Yet God loves all that exists, all that He has created. Obviously, if God hated something, He would not have created it! God spares all since He is the Lord and Lover of life.
Jesus, as the living embodiment of God’s words of wisdom, gives us an example of this merciful, loving kindness of God. We are told in the gospel (Luke 19:1-10) that Jesus is traveling through the town of Jericho when he meets a man named Zacchaeus. He is described as “one of the senior tax collectors and a wealthy man” (Luke 19:2).
To a first century Jew in the days of Jesus this man would have been considered an outsider because his occupation was to collect money from his fellow Jews to give to the Roman authorities who were oppressing Israel. He would have had a reputation for cheating and collecting more than was required in order to skim some off the top for himself. Such a sinner and thief would not seek out the company of a rabbi and holy man of God such as Jesus, nor would he be welcome company.
Yet for reasons unknown to us, Zacchaeus is drawn to Jesus, perhaps word of his miracles had become known in Jericho and Zacchaeus was curious to see Jesus. Maybe he was seeking some sort of healing in his soul out of guilt.
As always, Jesus is being followed by a large crowd and being short in stature, Zacchaeus is unable to get a glimpse of the man he has come to see. In order to overcome his impediment Zacchaeus runs ahead of Jesus and climbs a sycamore tree in order to get a glimpse. To Jesus and those with him this must have been a comical sight, a little man running and climbing a tree like an eager chimp.
No sooner does he get to the top of the tree does Jesus arrive and say to him, “Zacchaeus come down. Hurry, because I am to stay at your house today.”
Zacchaeus hurries down and joyfully greets Jesus, while those in the crowd begin to complain. Why is Jesus associating with this thief? Why has he gone to dine at a sinner’s house? But Zacchaeus is not the least bit disturbed. By simply meeting Jesus he has expressed contrition for his former life.
He vows, “Look, sir, I am going to give half my property to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody I will pay him back four times the amount.”
And Jesus says to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man too is a son of Abraham; for the Son of man has come to seek out and save what was lost.”
With this Jesus offers Zacchaeus the mercy and compassion of the Father that we see in the Book of Wisdom from the First Reading. He has come to seek the lost, the sinner searching for repentance, for if God had hated sinners, He would not have created them!
Are you like Zacchaeus in some way? Do you feel like you are searching for something? You should be fulfilled in your job, but you are not satisfied? You have a loving family, but you feel that something is missing? You have a bad habit or addiction that you cannot overcome? You are struggling with a chronic illness or grief for which there is no relief?
Seek solace from the words of wisdom we read today. Bring your sufferings to God through his Son, Jesus. God hears all, cares for all, and spares all for He is the Lord and Lover of life.
