Zacchaeus was probably a very good tax collector. After all, he was located in the city of Jericho, a major city on the east-west trade route. Tax collectors were hated for collaborating with the Roman occupiers and for over charging their own people in order to make a profit. On this day Jesus of Nazareth was passing through Jericho and Zacchaeus wanted to see him. Being of stature small, he knew that he would not see over the crowd. Furthermore, he thought that a prophet like Jesus would not want anything to do with a tax collector. So Zacchaeus’ plan was to go down the road and climb a tree so that he could get a glimpse of the teacher. After the crowd passed by he would come down from his perch and no one would be the wiser. His plan worked perfectly. But when Jesus walked under the tree, he looked up and said, “Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house.”
Like most of us Zacchaeus played it safe. He wanted to get a look at Jesus but not too closely. He had created a secure life for himself. For many of us, security has become a pressing issue in these troubling economic times. Even so, Zacchaeus understood what Jesus meant when he said, “...it must be today!” The Lord would not be back that way again.
Zacchaeus was one of Jesus’ success stories! The Lord empowered him to remove the idol of wealth from his life. Zacchaeus recognized his crimes and made restitution four times over to the victims of his extortion. Perhaps for the first time, he recognized his solidarity with the poor, so much so that he gave away half his possessions. By bringing Jesus into his home and his heart Zacchaeus turned over the control of his life to the Lord. This is what it means to become a disciple and a steward of Christ.
MONTH OF THE HOLY SOULS
November is dedicated to the Holy Souls in purgatory. The Church reminds us that we have a responsibility to remember them in our prayers. We believe that all who die in Christ will share eternal life with him. The sins we commit in this life, however, diminish our likeness to Christ and will prevent us from entering into God's presence, until our souls are sufficiently prepared. This time of preparation is purgatory. We who remain in this life can aid those souls with prayers, sacrifices, and works of charity. Do not forget the people who were important to you in this life. Assist them as they complete the final leg of their journey to the Lord.
You are invited to write the names of your deceased loved ones on our Purgatorial envelopes which will be placed at the altar for the month of November.