First Reading: Wisdom 11:22-12:2
Reflection:
This Sunday’s first reading begins by reflecting on God’s majestic grandeur, with which nothing can compare. Insignificant as the universe is in comparison to God’s awesomeness, God has created it and loves it. Everything God has made is worthy of preservation, for God has willed its very existence, and God loves it all and sustains it. He created all things good but humanity fell into sin, choosing to act contrary to the way we were created. But even greater than the majesty of his creation is the fact that God is able to forgive our sins and make right what has gone wrong. God can do anything and offers his mercy to all. He calls us to repent so that we might receive his forgiveness. Despite our many failings, we still have God’s spirit within us, specifically because God has created us. God does not simply forgive sinful humanity without trying to make it better. God chastises and instructs, gently, so that we may learn to do what is right, be free from all sin, and be faithful to God. As the Jews believed about themselves, so we believe about ourselves as Christians–that we are God’s living presence in the world. We affect the world around us, and in order to bring God’s justice to the world, we must be diligent in asking, “What is the most loving thing we can do?”
Second Reading: 2 Thessalonians 1:11-2:2
Reflection:
In St. Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians a major theme is the “Day of the Lord,” which refers to the Second Coming of Christ. We’ll be hearing from 2 Thessalonians for a few weeks as we approach the end of the liturgical year before Advent. The Second Coming of Christ is a theme the Church typically focuses on at the end of each liturgical year. At the time of Paul’s writing, it seems that the Christian community in Thessalonica was experiencing severe persecution. In the first part of this Sunday’s reading, Paul offers encouragement to them and assures them of his prayers. As a result of the intense persecution and the message of false teachers, some of the Christians came to believe that “the day of the Lord is at hand.” But Paul warns the community of believers in Thessalonica to guard themselves against this ideology. While it may have come to them “by a ‘spirit,’ or by an oral statement, or by a letter allegedly from us,” it did not come from him or another Apostle so it was not an authentic teaching. In fact, it seems that the Christians in Thessalonica were so convinced that Jesus would return any day that they were quitting their jobs and neglecting daily tasks. Paul warns against this sort of hysteria about the end times. While he affirms that Jesus will return, he would advocate for taking Jesus at his word when he said, “No one shall know the day or the hour.” We can learn from this scenario that there is no need to buy into any hysteria about the end of the world or any predictions about the Second Coming of Christ. But we should strive to be prepared to meet the Lord when he comes. Let us join in Paul’s prayer that “God may make [us] worthy of his calling,” so we may be ready for his return.
Gospel Reading: Luke 19:1-10
Reflection:
Zacchaeus is often remembered for his short stature. He was so short that he needed to climb a tree to see the preacher everyone was talking about. His shortness may have symbolized his lack of spiritual piety as well. He could not “see” the Lord because his spiritual vision was clouded by sin. Zacchaeus was a “chief tax collector” and “wealthy man.” As a tax collector, he would have been considered as chief among sinners for they were viewed by their fellow Jews as traitors due their collusion with the Roman Empire. Furthermore, as we see exemplified by Zacchaeus, they would often cheat people by charging extra in order to line their own pockets. But Jesus reached out to Zacchaeus. He did not simply tolerate the “scum” of society; He eagerly embraced them. No wonder His action was met with such disdain. Jesus chose to share a meal with this sinner, which was the ultimate sign of friendship. We find out that through this encounter with Jesus, Zacchaeus was inspired to repent and do what is right. In response to Jesus’ presence, Zacchaeus announced that not only would he right any wrongs he had committed, but he would go beyond what is required by giving four times the necessary amount in return. He also intended to return to covenantal living by providing for the poor. In response, Jesus declared that Zacchaeus was saved. Jesus came “to seek and to save what was lost.” In other words, he came to offer salvation to all people, even the worst of sinners like Zacchaeus. We are called to respond like Zacchaeus to Jesus, with repentance of our sins and resolve to make retribution for the damage our sins have done. Like with Zacchaeus, Jesus wants to come into the homes of our hearts. He wants to commune with us and forgive us our sins so that we can be saved.
Application:
Do an examination of your conscience. For what sins do you need to repent? What retribution needs to be made to right the wrongs you have committed, and to restore trust and friendship with anyone you have hurt? Jesus offers you forgiveness and salvation from your sins. Turn to Him, just like Zacchaeus did.
