Title: Thirty first Sunday year C

LET US HURRY LEST JESUS PASSES US BY

Wisdom 11:22-12:2  2Thesalonians 1:11-2:2 Luke 19:1-10

Today we continue the Theme of last Sunday which showed us God's attitude towards the Sinner and the social outcasts. This weekend we are encouraged and Challenged. We are encouraged by the fact that we can never be so lost, so low, so riddled with sin that we can not respond to the Constant call of God for Repentance, Conversion and Forgiveness. We are challenged to look at our own lives and determine what is fueling our Capacity for sin and then to put it out. We are invited to read the call to plug out ones eye, or to cut off ones hand etc if they cause one to sin.

This story about Zacchaeus and his conversion does not make Sense at all. Do you agree? If you don't let me inform you. You See, Zacchaeus has all the disadvantages given our standards. He is Short. Poor fellow. He would not be a Star in Basketball. And he seems to be very poor in making economic decisions. At the end of the Story he decided to bankrupt himself or putting himself out of business by promising to give half of his possesions to the poor and by repaying anyone he extorted four times over the particular amount. How can he do that and survive? He should know also that he has no friends in his Society since he had sided with the Expoiter and opressive regime of the Romans. God have Mercy on the poor fellow. No wander I have not met one who carrys his name. Should we immitate him!!!

What is happening here? Zacchaeus just like many modern people had struggled through life to be rich. He supposedly used all means including siding with the Oppressive Roman Regime. And Indeed he went up the ranks. He became the CEO or the Chief Tax Collector. He became really Rich (Tajiri Kishenzi). BUT   Zacchaeus' hearts desire was not satisfied. There was something still missing. St. Augustine would say, "Our Souls are restless Oh! God until they rest in you". So Zacchaeus having heard about Jesus, started Seeking to see Who Jesus was. He wanted to have a closer Relationship with him. No matter what, he will climb up, run etc to meet Jesus. He is like the Guy who found a field with Gold in it and went and sold all he had to buy it.

Dear Sisters and Brothers, The Spirit we received at our creation is pulled to the Creating and renewing Spirit of God. We and restist the call but God will keep on seeking us. If we do not harden our hearts, if we listen to him, Salvation will come to us. In todays Gospel, the  Pharisees who are proud, critics of the saving move of Jesus and the respose of Zacchaeus; block salvation to themselves and to others. Jesus keeps on Knocking, standind at the door. If anyone open, he will come in...  Rev. 3:20 How sad today many refuse to open the door for Jesus or open it half way. We were and are Created for God. In today's second Reading St. Paul has a beautful prayer for us. "... God may make you worthy of his calling and powerfully bring to fulfillment every good purpose and every effort of faith..." Let us accept Zacchaeus' challenge. Let us seek to see who Jesus is, to know Jesus better, to serve him more Faithfully and to Love him deeply. At St. Edward we have started the Why Catholic, let us take it to help us to achieve this. My it help us to accept and receiveJesus into our lives with Joy no matter what others may say or think of us. And do you know what!! We think that we are seeking Jesus, but the truth is that Jesus is the one who came to seek us. With a little effort he will call upon us "Hurry, quickly come this way, today I must stay at your House..." Let us not only admire what Zacchaeus did but immitate him. If we do not stop Jesus Today, he may pass us by or pass through. Jesus comes to us in many different ways. Let us allow him to bring his blessings and Salvation to us and the whole world.

For those who think that they are already doing what Zacchaeus did or have already invited Jesus to their lives, the next question is "do you see the people (all of them) around you as God, their loving creator sees them? Read the first reading for today again.

For anyone who thinks that their situation is beyond repair. You are assured that in God's eyes, Nobody is beyond Redemption. There is no past deed, behavior or way of life, no matter how shameful, that can not be turned in a new pure direction. Let us File Bankruptcy in the area of sin and move on to greater and holier grounds. Zachaeus did it. Why not we?

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