Nov 17 2020 Reflection
Tuesday 17 November 2020
First Reading: RV 3:1-6, 14-22
Responsorial Psalm:
I will seat the victor beside me on my throne.
PS 15:2-3A, 3BC-4AB, 5
Gospel Reading: LK 19:1-10
Today’s Note: Memorial of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, Religious
Gospel Reading:
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.”
Reflection:
Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house. (Luke 19:5)
Luke’s story of Zacchaeus reveals a pattern we see repeatedly in the Gospels. It goes like this: Jesus seems to anticipate what is in someone’s heart and mind. He perceives a hunger, a restlessness, a searching for God, even if that person doesn’t fully realize it himself. Then Jesus “shows up” in some unexpected way that leads the person to new life and a change of heart.
Somehow Jesus knew that Zacchaeus would be sitting up in that sycamore tree. He also understood that Zacchaeus, despite his occupation and wealth, was ready to repent and welcome Jesus into his heart and his home. And Zacchaeus did just that, even publicly committing to repay four times over those he had cheated.
Where else do we see this pattern? Look at Simon Peter. After a fruitless night of fishing, Jesus shows up and tells him to try again. Peter is overwhelmed by the enormous catch of fish and leaves everything to follow Jesus (Luke 5:1-11). The Samaritan woman at the well is another example. Jesus notices her thirst and offers her living water instead, leading her to share the news that the Messiah had come (John 4:4-40). Or the two disciples on the road to Emmaus: Jesus sees their despondency and brings them hope and joy by revealing himself to them (Luke 24:13-27).
You might see this same pattern in your own story. When has the Lord unexpectedly “shown up” and given you just what you needed from him? Perhaps he helped open your eyes to see yourself or someone else differently. Or maybe he prompted you to change your attitude, viewpoint, or perspective. Whatever it was, his grace helped you to take a step closer to him.
The people Jesus encountered in the Gospels responded by placing a deeper trust in him—in his ability to heal and set free and in his call to follow him. May we follow their example and do the same in those times when Jesus anticipates our need and comes to us.
“Jesus, thank you for anticipating and fulfilling my every need!”
