Pablo was 17 when he joined his peers in taking drugs. When he got older, Pablo joined the police force for want of a better life. But power corrupted him and he began to sell drugs. Meanwhile, Pablo’s children joined a local church. The staff knew of their father’s reputation but still invited him to church and visited his family in their home. The elderly women at church also kept praying for Pablo. Then, during a drug negotiation, Pablo was arrested. He went to jail for six months, and there he encountered Jesus. He saw the effect of his sins on him and his family. He was baptized, and with God’s grace, became a responsible, loving father. 

Zacchaeus, too, led a corrupt life. He was short physically but also spiritually. Maybe he wanted to change but didn’t know how. But when he encountered Jesus, his life was never the same again. Like Zacchaeus, when we go out of our way to seek Jesus, He meets us where we are andnd allow Him to meet you there. No sin is too great for His mercy. He came that you may be found. Marjorie Duterte (writersretreatph@gmail.com)

Reflect:

Are you at your lowest of lows and feeling lost? Go to Jesus’ cross and allow Him to meet you there. No sin is too great for His mercy. He came that you may be found. 

Dearest Lord, like Zacchaeus, may we humble ourselves at your cross and allow ourselves to be transformed by it. Help us to change for good. Amen. 

Saint Mechtildis, pray for us.

The white, unsoiled garments worn by the people in Sardis refer to the white robe of baptism. When we were baptized, all our sins were washed away. The challenge is to remain pure of heart and soul until we reach eternal life. It is not easy, so God has given us the Sacrament of Reconciliation by which our souls are cleansed from sin. Let us use it well and grow together in holiness.

¹ I, John, “To the angel of the Church in Sardis, write this: “‘The one who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars says this: “I know your works, that you have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. ² Be watchful and strengthen what is left, which is going to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. ³ Remember then how you accepted and heard; keep it, and repent. If you are not watchful, I will come like a thief, and you will never know at what hour I will come upon you. ⁴ However, you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their garments; they will walk with me dressed in white, because they are worthy. ⁵ “‘“The victor will thus be dressed in white, and I will never erase his name from the book of life but will acknowledge his name in the presence of my Father and of his angels. ⁶ “‘“Whoever has ears ought to hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’ ¹⁴ “To the angel of the Church in Laodicea, write this: “‘The Amen, the faithful and true witness, the source of God’s creation, says this: 15 “I know your works; I know that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either cold or hot. ¹⁶ So, because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. ¹⁷ For you say, ‘I am rich and affluent and have no need of anything,’ and yet do not realize that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. ¹⁸ I advise you to buy from me gold refined by fire so that you may be rich, and white garments to put on so that your shameful nakedness may not be exposed, and buy ointment to smear on your eyes so that you may see. ¹⁹ Those whom I love, I reprove and chastise. Be earnest, therefore, and repent. ²⁰ “‘“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, then I will enter his house and dine with him, and he with me. ²¹ I will give the victor the right to sit with me on my throne, as I myself first won the victory and sit with my Father on his throne. ²² “‘“Whoever has ears ought to hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”’”

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 15:2-3, 3-4, 5

R:I will seat the victor beside me on my throne. 

² He who walks blamelessly and does justice; who thinks the truth in his heart ³ and slanders not with his tongue. (R) Who harms not his fellow man, nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor; ⁴ By whom the reprobate isdespised, while he honors those who fear the Lord. (R) ⁵ Who lends not his money at usury and accepts no bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be disturbed. (R) 

Gospel | Luke 19:1-10

Zacchaeus repents, so salvation enters into his life. This is the gift of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. If we are ready and willing to repent for our sins, God will take them from us and throw them away. His portion of this deal is utterly certain; but we may or may not act on our portion. 

Gospel Acclamation

God loved us, and sent his Son as expiation for our sins.

¹ At that time Jesus came to Jericho and intended to pass through the town. ² Now a man there named Zacchaeus, who was a chief tax collector and also a wealthy man, ³ was seeking to see who Jesus was; but he could not see him because of the crowd, for he was short in stature. ⁴ So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus, who was about to pass that way. ⁵ When he reached the place, Jesus looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house.” ⁶ And he came down quickly and received him with joy. ⁷ When they all saw this, they began to grumble, saying, “He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner.” ⁸ 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.” ⁹ And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house because this man too is a descendant of Abraham. ¹⁰ For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost.”

Reflect:

Why does Jesus dine with Zacchaeus? Why does this bother others?

Read the Bible in one year! Read ACTS 21 - 24 today.

Zacchaeus showed us the perfect example of a repentant sinner. He first had an examination of conscience. I am sure he contemplated so much before deciding to go and see Jesus. He braved the crowd that might be hostile to him as a tax collector. He climbed a sycamore tree, which was certainly embarrassing, and hoped he could at least have a glimpse of this Nazorean who was admired by many. Jesus saw him and told him to hurry down and accompany Him to his home. Being so grateful, he expressed his joy and, in the process, repented, reparated, and received a blessing of salvation not only for him but for his household.

The example of Zacchaeus must have shocked a lot of Jews, especially his fellow tax collectors. It revealed how much they had taken advantage of their fellow Jews. The Romans chose Jews like Zacchaeus to collect taxes for them. However, some designated tax collectors took advantage of their position to get rich. They exacted taxes more than what were due to the Roman Empire. Their abuse of authority was worthy of contempt. Yet Zacchaeus took the opportunity to change when Jesus visited him. There was something in Jesus. Zacchaeus actually still had a choice. And he chose the best part, which is humility and contrition. He decided to return the excess taxes he had collected and committed to help the poor. We can just say here what millennials always say, “Sana all!”

Fame, power, riches, and other sources of worldly prominence are certainly inebriating. We aspire for them in this world. They give us comfort, prestige, and recognition. But they can also derail and bring us to the path of iniquities and godlessness. Satan makes us believe they are everything we need as if we do not need God anymore and we can be on our own. But soon we will realize our lack. We will still be wanting. The truth is, these things are not bad in themselves. At most, we can use them for the greater glory of God. But we must not forget that they can also be sources of sin. Like in the case of Zacchaeus, Jesus will always be there to approach us and invite Himself to us. Fr. Benny Tuazon

Reflection Question:

Do we welcome Jesus like Zacchaeus did? Do we accept our sinfulness and abuses to others? Are we willing to reparate after we have confessed? 

I ask for Your forgiveness, Lord, for the times I have abused my authority and taken advantage of others, especially those under my care. Amen.

Today, I pray for: __________________________________