Tuesday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time
(Revelation 3:1-6.14-22; Psalm 15; Luke 19:1-10)
The old Beatle George Harrison expresses the desire of Zacchaeus and of us as well when he sings, “Lord, I just want to see you.” Zacchaeus climbs a tree to get a bird’s view of Jesus passing by. We will have to strain our imaginations to see Jesus for the gospels reveal little to nothing of ho Jesus looked or gestured.
But seeing Jesus with one’s eyes holds no great advantage. Most of those who saw Jesus did not choose to follow him. Indeed, the majority of the witnesses to his miracles turned their backs on his call to conversion. More important than seeing Jesus is having faith in him. As he says in John’s Gospel, “`Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.’”
Surprising to many, Zacchaeus expresses such faith. As a tax collector, Zacchaeus is expected to swindle the poor, not to treat them with kindness. But he couldn’t be more generous as he promises to give the needy half of his possessions. The only recognizable motive for his doing so is his belief that since Jesus brings salvation, what better thing is there to do with one’s wealth than to share it with Jesus’ special friends.
Showing posts with label Zacchaeus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Zacchaeus. Show all posts
Homilette for Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Wednesday, I Easter
(Luke 24)
A disappointment of the gospel is that we find no physical description of Jesus. Try as we might, we never see a word about his stature, his complexion, or any distinguishing mannerism, other than that he spoke with authority. Once a journalist wrote that he was short since the Gospel of Luke mentions that Zacchaeus had to climb a tree to see him. However, the more common interpretation of this story is that Zacchaeus was the little guy.
Perhaps since Jesus is so nondescript in the gospels, it should not strike us as peculiar that his disciples cannot recognize him at first glance after the resurrection. Both Mary in yesterday’s gospel from St. John and the two disciples today in Luke’s gospel don’t expect Jesus to be alive so without any outstanding characteristic they fail to distinguish him from a gardener or another passer-by. Until he speaks with his old authority, that is. Then his words go straight to the heart. Mary is lifted out of her fog of grief when he mentions her name. The disciples too achieve insight as he blesses and breaks the bread.
James Caviezel-images aside, we still have no idea of what Jesus looks like. But we recognize his words. He calls us by name in Baptism. He pronounces the same blessing over the bread and wine in Eucharist. He accompanies us as surely as he revisited his disciples after the resurrection. We want to lift ourselves from the fog of concerns that envelope us to achieve insight of him.
(Luke 24)
A disappointment of the gospel is that we find no physical description of Jesus. Try as we might, we never see a word about his stature, his complexion, or any distinguishing mannerism, other than that he spoke with authority. Once a journalist wrote that he was short since the Gospel of Luke mentions that Zacchaeus had to climb a tree to see him. However, the more common interpretation of this story is that Zacchaeus was the little guy.
Perhaps since Jesus is so nondescript in the gospels, it should not strike us as peculiar that his disciples cannot recognize him at first glance after the resurrection. Both Mary in yesterday’s gospel from St. John and the two disciples today in Luke’s gospel don’t expect Jesus to be alive so without any outstanding characteristic they fail to distinguish him from a gardener or another passer-by. Until he speaks with his old authority, that is. Then his words go straight to the heart. Mary is lifted out of her fog of grief when he mentions her name. The disciples too achieve insight as he blesses and breaks the bread.
James Caviezel-images aside, we still have no idea of what Jesus looks like. But we recognize his words. He calls us by name in Baptism. He pronounces the same blessing over the bread and wine in Eucharist. He accompanies us as surely as he revisited his disciples after the resurrection. We want to lift ourselves from the fog of concerns that envelope us to achieve insight of him.
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