THIRTY-FIRST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Also Read: Mass Readings for 30 October 2022 Mass Reading Reflection for 30 October 2022
Gospel: Luke 19: 1-10
Zacchaeus wanted to have a glimpse of Jesus. His attempts to reach closer to Jesus were defeated multiple times owing to his short stature, inability to cut through the crowd, and probably due to his low self-esteem. But his determination made him run ahead, climb a tree and wait for Jesus to pass through. His dream was simple, and he was determined to realize it. Dreams are not something to sleep over; they are something to work over. Jesus loves your noble dreams; he respects you when you start taking strong and fast steps to realize them. Jesus is overwhelmed when He is part of your dream. Do you have a dream where Jesus is part of it? And do you care to run like Zacchaeus to realize that dream?
When Jesus is part of your scheme, He takes more steps than you; he takes a hundred miles against your one step. Zacchaeus wanted just a glimpse of Jesus, but Jesus spent an entire night with him and his family. He shared their house, their food, their anxiety, their dreams, their hopes, their burdens, and even their sins. It was a night when nobody in the house wanted to sleep. His presence was enough; nothing else mattered. His mere presence changed everything. He was no more the same; his household was no more the same.
Jesus was helping him see the grand picture, he was a son of Abraham, the father of all faithful. Zacchaeus was not a distraction for Jesus. Zacchaeus was the purpose of Jesus, and Jesus communicated it with no room for doubt.
Today Jesus wants to tell you and me that we are the purpose of Jesus. We are the purpose of Jesus celebrating this Eucharist. We are the purpose of Jesus waiting for us in the tabernacle. We are the purpose of Jesus dying on the cross. We are the purpose of Jesus’ resurrecting on the third day. We are the purpose of Jesus sending the Holy Spirit upon Our lady and the Apostles on Pentecost. We are the purpose of Jesus establishing the holy Church and the sacraments. We are the purpose of Jesus blessing the world with holy men and women. We are the purpose of Jesus for guiding the world with doctors of the church. We are the purpose of Jesus in calling humble people like us to share his priesthood and consecrated life.
Yes, you are not a distraction for Jesus; you are his purpose. He wants to come home with you today. Today itself He wants to come home with you. He wants to come home with you to bless you and everyone home. He wants to tell you exactly what he said to Zacchaeus on that blessed night, “Today salvation has come to this house”!
Don’t go home empty-handed from this church. Go home with Jesus. If Zacchaeus could take Jesus home, so you too can. Take Jesus home! Take Jesus home today itself.
Amen.
