Sunday October 30, 2022
Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time
Zacchaeus was small in stature and short-sighted in his wealth. He realized his puny perspective on life in his career as a tax collector. He felt a new flirtation in his heart, a desire to see Jesus.
In his resourcefulness, he climbed a tree. He eavesdropped on Jesus. He straddled the limb. He camouflaged from Jesus, the crowd, and himself.
Instead, Jesus’ eyes rested upon him. The branches could not hide the encounter. His past did not distort Jesus’ view of him. Jesus desired to go to his house.
The public grumbled. Zacchaeus’ heart sang. He was overcome by Jesus’ desire to enter his home and his heart. He desired to expand his wealth by giving it away. His restitution made him tall and free.
Jesus isn’t finished with us. He sees us no matter from where we hide. Jesus invites us to dinner. He desires us. He wants us to expand our hearts, not only in what we own, no matter the things that burden us. Jesus desires us, to encounter us.
The tree of our freedom is his cross. He is our only hope this day and tomorrow. Jesus seeks us and saves what is lost.
Broken But Not Divided 
In a very real sense, God’s children do not need to know so much doctrine. What we need is the Word and the power of resurrection within us. No teaching or doctrine can replace resurrection. According to the power of resurrection we are being designated the sons of God.
Thank you for finding me Jesus. Help me each day to pick up my cross and follow you and let go of anything that stands in the way.
I thought of you on the ladder when you gave a sermon on this Gospel. I also remember Zacchaeus as a favorite. I will think of you and lift you up when I hear this tomorrow.
Jesus’s love is the greatest equalizer. He desires not from us “ an edited, cleaned -up , version of the self” , for He knows the deepest recesses of our being. He calls us , instead, to come to Him with a teachable spirit that is open to the conversions that blessings and sorrows may break open , to trust that His plans for us are rooted in heaven , and to bask in the Light of His Presence.
Be well. Be Safe. Be happy, Fr. Ron!