TODAYS REFLECTION 3RD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME TUES NOV 15 ( Rv 3:1-6, 14-22, Lk 19 :1-10 )
WHEN WE ARE BEEN JUDGED AND REJECTED AS SINNERS, JESUS SEES US AS DESERVING MERCY AND FORGIVENESS OH WHAT AN AWESOME GOD!!
Dearest friends, reflecting on todays gospel i come to understand that nobody in the “practicing” Jewish community gave Zacchaeus a chance, he was a sinner and that was that. Jesus saw Zacchaeus as a human being deserving of love, sympathy and mercy and invited himself to his house so that Zacchaeus’ life would be transformed. What joy Zacchaeus had at receiving this invitation from our Lord. There are three things to note in this encounter.
As a tax collector He saw himself as unworthy of Jesus’ compassion. But Jesus came precisely for the sinner. Therefore, truth be told, Zacchaeus was the perfect “candidate” for the mercy and compassion of Jesus. Second, when Zacchaeus witnessed that Jesus came to him and selected him out of everyone present to be the one to spend time with, he was overjoyed! The same must be true with us. Jesus does pick us and He does want to be with us. If we allow ourselves to see this, the natural result will be joy.
Third, as a result of Jesus’ compassion, Zacchaeus changed his life. He committed to giving half his possessions to the poor and to repay four times over anyone he had previously cheated. This is a sign that Zacchaeus began to discover true riches. Reflect, today, upon Zacchaeus and see yourself in his person. You, too, are a sinner. But God’s compassion is far more powerful than any sin. May we allow the gift of His mercy to produce mercy and compassion in our own lives for others. Be blessed.
