The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today offer the image of Zacchaeus' efforts to see Jesus as a reminder of the shortcomings in our personal and communal practice of love and mercy.
The reading from the Book of Revelation describes the message to Sardis and Laodicea.
* [3:1] Sardis: this city, located ca. thirty miles southeast of Thyatira, was once the capital of Lydia, known for its wealth at the time of Croesus (6th century B.C.). Its citadel, reputed to be unassailable, was captured by surprise, first by Cyrus and later by Antiochus. The church is therefore warned to be on guard.
* [3:14–22] The letter to Laodicea reprimands the community for being lukewarm (Rev 3:15–16), but no particular faults are singled out. Their material prosperity is contrasted with their spiritual poverty, the violet tunics that were the source of their wealth with the white robe of baptism, and their famous eye ointment with true spiritual perception (Rev 3:17–18). But Christ’s chastisement is inspired by love and a desire to be allowed to share the messianic banquet with his followers in the heavenly kingdom (Rev 3:19–21). (Revelation, CHAPTER 3, n.d.)
Psalm 15 asks who shall abide in God’s Sanctuary?
* [Psalm 15] The Psalm records a liturgical scrutiny at the entrance to the Temple court (cf. Ps 24:3–6; Is 33:14b–16). The Israelite wishing to be admitted had to ask the Temple official what conduct was appropriate to God’s precincts. Note the emphasis on virtues relating to one’s neighbor.
* [15:5] Lends no money at interest: lending money in the Old Testament was often seen as assistance to the poor in their distress, not as an investment; making money off the poor by charging interest was thus forbidden (Ex 22:24; Lv 25:36–37; Dt 23:20). (Psalms, PSALM 15, n.d.)
The Gospel of Luke describes the meeting of Jesus and Zacchaeus.
* [19:1–10] The story of the tax collector Zacchaeus is unique to this gospel. While a rich man (Lk 19:2), Zacchaeus provides a contrast to the rich man of Lk 18:18–23 who cannot detach himself from his material possessions to become a follower of Jesus. Zacchaeus, according to Luke, exemplifies the proper attitude toward wealth: he promises to give half of his possessions to the poor (Lk 19:8) and consequently is the recipient of salvation (Lk 19:9–10). (Luke, CHAPTER 19, n.d.)
Tamora Whitney wants to talk more personally about life and death today.
We do not know the hour, even when we think we do. I was very glad I had more time with my mother than expected. I am also glad she died peacefully in her sleep and now is no longer in pain and is whole again.
In the Gospel a short man called Zacchaeus wants to see Jesus, but he is too short to see over the crowd. I can relate to that. I too am short of stature and can never see the parade or the movie when there are tall people in front of me. Zacchaeus climbs a tree and gets the attention of Jesus who changes Zach’s life in this encounter. Jesus calls to him, and Zacchaeus answers the call. He welcomes Jesus into his home and more importantly into his heart. The churches need to answer the call and the people need to answer the call before it’s too late. (Whitney, 2022)
Don Schwager quotes “To see Christ,” by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD).
"Come and let us see what was the method of Zacchaeus's conversion. He desired to see Jesus and therefore climbed into a sycamore tree, and so a seed of salvation sprouted within him. Christ saw this with the eyes of deity. Looking up, he also saw Zacchaeus with the eyes of humanity, and since it was his purpose for all to be saved, he extends his gentleness to him. To encourage him, he says, 'Come down quickly.' Zacchaeus searched to see Christ, but the multitude prevented him, not so much that of the people but of his sins. He was short of stature, not merley in a bodily point of view but also spiritually. He could not see him unless he were raised up from the earth and climbed into the sycamore, by which Christ was about to pass. The story contains a puzzle. In no other way can a person see Christ and believe in him except by climbing up into the sycamore, by making foolish his earthly members of fornication, uncleanness, etc." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 127)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 19:1-10 comments that most of us probably don’t like unexpected interruptions in our day or last-minute demands placed on our schedules. When such interruptions do happen, we might get annoyed or grumble to ourselves. But when we see how Jesus responded to Zacchaeus, our perspective can change. Maybe these interruptions and inconveniences are really invitations to join him in ministering to someone who needs help, comfort, or attention.
Such invitations might come in the voice of a friend whose car has broken down and is asking you for a ride to work. Or you might feel the Lord nudging you to stop and talk to a lonely neighbor even though you’d rather get on with your walk and burn some more calories. Or the Lord might be speaking to you through the voice of your child, who is asking you to play a game with her even though you have so much work to do.
The next time you are asked to change your plans, try to see it as Jesus’ loving invitation rather than as an annoying interruption. We aren’t always able to be flexible with our schedules, but when we are, who knows what might happen? We may just have more of an effect on people’s hearts than we think. Just look at what happened to Zacchaeus!
“Lord, help me to hear your invitation to love the people around me.” (Schwager, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler discusses the state of the churches in Asia as presented by the passage from Revelation. The geography and particular industries of the cities is used to underline the areas of concern mentioned in the letter. Friar Jude reminds us of the “realized eschatology” in the passage about Jesus and Zacchaeus in the Gospel of Luke.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, reflects on the role of the Center for Action and Contemplation to hold action and contemplation together in a big vision where every action was rooted in love.
At this stage of my life, I feel a great need to create space for those who are carrying this work forward into the future — at the CAC and beyond. As I have shared many times over the years, I believe that only the contemplative mind can bring forward the new consciousness needed to awaken a more loving, just, and sustainable world. This is why the CAC’s mission is to introduce Christian contemplative wisdom and practices that support transformation and inspire loving action.
But the CAC is not enough on its own. The healing of our world requires transformed agents of love showing up in the world together. Each of us has a part to play in this work – a whole body, a whole community, a whole movement of people on the path of action and contemplation. (Daily Meditation: A Special Note From Fr. Richard: Carrying the Work Forward, 2022)
We are prompted by the Spirit to be aware of the things we need to change as we respond to the knocking of Jesus on our door.
References
Daily Meditation: A special note from Fr. Richard: Carrying the Work Forward. (2022, November 15). Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved November 15, 2022, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/a-special-note-from-fr-richard-carrying-the-work-forward-2022-11-15/
Luke, CHAPTER 19. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved November 15, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/19?1
Psalms, PSALM 15. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved November 15, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/15?2
Revelation, CHAPTER 3. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved November 15, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/revelation/3?1
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Zacchaeus Received Jesus Joyfully. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved November 15, 2022, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2022&date=nov15
Whitney, T. (2022, November 14). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved November 15, 2022, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/111522.html
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