31ST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR C

Wisdom 11:22—12:2

Psalm 144 (145)

2 Thessalonians 1:11—2:2

Luke 19:1-10

COME DOWN FROM YOUR TREE

Today’s readings reveal the immensity of God's love for his creatures that we are. In effect, the Book of Wisdom makes three important affirmations: (i) the universe, including humanity, is only a tiny drop of dew before the greatness of God. (ii) All that exists was willed by God who created everything out of love. Nothing exists by chance or by mistake. (iii) God is tender and patient towards the sinner so that he may repent and live. 

It is in this context of God's merciful and saving love for each of his creatures that we must understand Zacchaeus' encounter with Jesus in the Gospel. All of the descriptions that the evangelist Luke gives of Zacchaeus have one point: to make us understand that Zacchaeus was a public sinner, a detestable creep. However, it was this sinner that attracted the merciful gaze of Jesus.

Zacchaeus was eager to see Jesus, but it was Jesus who saw him. Having recognized Jesus as the Lord, he accepts with joy the self-invitation of Jesus to dwell in his house. With this encounter, a radical change took place in the life of Zacchaeus, a total metanoia, manifested in concrete gestures and decisions. This is what we call conversion. In this episode, Jesus reveals his identity and his mission: He is the Son of Man who has come to seek and to save what was lost. 

Therefore, these readings reveal to us that God loves each one of us. Despite our unfaithfulness and waywardness, despite the condemnatory judgment of others on us, we remain the "descendants of Abraham", sons and daughters of God’s promises. Thus, he loves us and knows us intimately. He takes us and lifts us up when we falls. He wants us to abandon our wicked ways and live. May we come down from our trees of pride, resentment and guilt to meet the Lord. May we open our hearts to receive the salvation that Jesus offers us today, especially in the Eucharist. As in the prayer of St Paul, may the Lord make us worthy of his calling so that his Son our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ may be glorified in us.

 Amen.