Reflection for 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time

11-03-2019Weekly ReflectionFr. Julius Kundi

Last week the focus was on the evil of pride and the need for true humility which was exemplified by the Tax collector in the Temple. This week the readings continue almost on the same topic to show us another fruit of humility produced by a single action of overcoming pride by another Tax collector, who encountered Jesus the Christ.

Zacchaeus was a rich man that had everything he needed materially in life. According to some commentators he had own all the 4Ps, Power, Pleasure, Pride and even Problems but one thing was lacking. He was not happy. He is lonely because nobody would like to befriend him. He chooses the way that makes him an outcast. Everyone hated tax collectors. His greatest joy was the news making the rounds that Jesus welcomes tax collectors and sinners. Then he want to see Jesus.

Zacchaeus also realized that for him to see Jesus he had to let go of any arrogance based on his wealth. Thus he humbled himself by climbing the sycamore tree, and then promised to hand over much of his wealth, to pay back those he had defrauded. In return, Jesus set aside his dignity as rabbi and a man of God by going to dine in the house of such a notorious sinner, which generated some controversy even among his followers.

Our Lord is indeed a lover of souls, the Liturgy shows us today. As we sing in today’s Psalm, He is slow to anger and compassionate toward all that He has made. In His mercy, our First Reading tells us, He overlooks our sins and ignorance, giving us space that we might repent and not perish in our sinfulness. In the figure of Zacchaeus in today’s Gospel, we have a portrait of a lost soul that needed to be found. By his humility he was exalted, made worthy to welcome the Lord into his house. By his faith he was justified, made a descendant of Abraham.

Let us pray for the grace to practice humility in all our dealings as we try to imitate Zacchaeus and all the saints of the church.

Fr. Julius