DAILY GOSPEL REFLECTION. THE CONVERSION OF ZACCHEUS (Lk 19:1-10).
At that time Jesus came to Jericho and intended to pass through the town. Now a man there named Zacchaeus, who was a chief tax collector and also a wealthy man, was seeking to see who Jesus was; but he could not see him because of the crowd, for he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus, who was about to pass that way. When he reached the place, Jesus looked up and said, “Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house.” And he came down quickly and received him with joy. When they saw this, they began to grumble, saying, “He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner.” But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone I shall repay it four times over.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house because this man too is a descendant of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost.”
GOSPEL COMMENTARY FROM THE NAVARRE BIBLE, ST. LUKE (WITH PERMISSION)
- 1-10 Jesus Christ is the Saviour of mankind; he has healed many sick people, has raised the dead to life and, particularly, has brought forgiveness of sin and the gift of grace to those who approach him in faith. As in the case of the sinful woman (cf. Lk 7:36-50), here he brings salvation to Zacchaeus, for the mission of the Son of Man is to save that which was lost.
- Zacchaeus was a tax collector and, as such, was hated by the people, because the tax collectors were collaborators of the Roman authorities and were often guilty of abuses (cf. note on Mt 5:46).
- The Gospel implies that this man also had things to seek forgiveness for (cf. vv. 7-10). Certainly he was very keen to see Jesus (no doubt moved by grace) and he did everything he could to do so. Jesus rewards his efforts by staying as a guest in his house. Moved by our Lord’s presence Zacchaeus begins to lead a new life.
- The crowd begin to grumble against Jesus for showing affection to a man they consider to be an evildoer. Our Lord makes no excuses for his behaviour: he explains that this is exactly why he has come — to seek out sinners. He is putting into practice the parable of the lost sheep (cf. Lk 15:4-7), which was already prophesied in Ezekiel: “I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the crippled and I will strengthen the weak” (34:16).
- Zacchaeus was a tax collector and, as such, was hated by the people, because the tax collectors were collaborators of the Roman authorities and were often guilty of abuses (cf. note on Mt 5:46).
- 4 Zacchaeus wants to see Jesus, and to do so he has to go out and mix with the crowd.
- Like the blind man of Jericho he has to shed any kind of human respect.
- In our own search for God we should not let false shame or fear of ridicule prevent us from using the resources available to us to meet our Lord.
- “Convince yourself that there is no such thing as ridicule for whoever is doing what is best” (St. Josemaria, The Way, 392).
- 5-6 This is a very good example of the way God acts to save men.
- Jesus calls Zacchaeus personally, using his name, suggesting he invite him home. The Gospel states that Zacchaeus does so promptly and joyfully. This is how we should respond when God calls us by means of grace.
- 8 Responding immediately to grace, Zacchaeus makes it known that he will restore fourfold anything he obtained unjustly — thereby going beyond what is laid down in the Law of Moses (cf. Ex 21:370.
- And in generous compensation he gives half his wealth to the poor. “Let the rich learn”, St Ambrose comments, “that evil does not consist in having wealth, but in not putting it to good use; for just as riches are an obstacle to evil people, they are also a means of virtue for good people” (Expositio Evangelii sec. Lucam, in loc.). Cf. note on Lk 16:9-11.
- 10 Jesus’s burning desire to seek out a sinner to save him fills us with hope of attaining eternal salvation.
- “He chooses a chief tax collector: who can despair when such a man obtains grace?” (St Ambrose, Expositio Evangelii sec. Lucam, in loc.).
Dear brethren in Christ, Jesus has come to seek and to save what is lost. Let us thank Our Lord for his bountiful mercy shown in his constant invitation for our conversion. Our Lord wishes to save us but He who created the world cannot do so if we do not let Him.
But if we let Him through the humble acknowledgement, repentance and confession of our shortcomings and offences, then, it’s never too late to receive God’s grace and pardon. While there’s time here on earth, let us then take advantage to begin again daily in seeking to unite ourselves with God through prayer, struggle to live the virtues, and the frequent reception of the Sacraments, especially the Holy Eucharist and Confession, in which we receive God’s forgiveness and recover His friendship every time we approach it with a contrite heart.
A great day ahead. Stay safe and God bless. Fr. Rolly Arjonillo
SEE AS WELL: POPE FRANCIS ON ZACCHEUS THE PUBLICAN HERE.
VIDEO COMMENTARY
Topic: DO YOU CONDEMN THE SIN AND NOT THE SINNER, OR IS IT THE OTHER WAY AROUND?
Today’s gospel (Luke 19:1-10) captures for us not only Jesus’ mission but ours, as well. Here, we are told of a rich chief tax collector named Zacchaeus who was very much hated by the Jews, although he, himself was a Jew. If we are to truly fulfill the mission Jesus has given us, we must constantly knock at the hearts of people – especially those who have made life difficult for us – with our love as did the Lord, in the first reading (Revelations 3:1-6, 14-22).
Stay updated: subscribe by email for free TO OUR NEW WEBSITE www.catholicsstrivingforholiness.org (PUT YOUR EMAIL IN THE SUBSCRIBE WIDGET).
We are also in www.fb.com/Catholicsstrivingforholiness. Kindly help more people in their Christian life by liking our page and inviting your family, friends and relatives to do so as well. Thanks in advance and God bless you and your loved ones! Fr. Rolly Arjonillo