REFLECTIONS TODAY
The story of Zacchaeus proves that it is possible for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God.
Some Bible commentators opine that Luke makes use of Zacchaeus’ story as an apology for wealthy people who have decided to change their lifestyle and share their wealth with the poor.
Christians who are well-off — like Priscilla and Aquila, Lydia, Phoebe, and Cornelius — become patrons and are instrumental in spreading the Good News of salvation, since they themselves are recipients of God’s goodness and mercy.
Those rich in resources, but remain unattached to their wealth, become charitable.
They store up more valuable and lasting treasure — the one in heaven.
Gospel • Luke 19:1-10 [or Matthew 12:46-50]
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 to him, “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.”
Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2023,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.