Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time_C - Unexpected Company_103022

Deacon Tom Writes

“Unexpected Company”

 

Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

 

Poor Zacchaeus! When he left home that day to get a look at Jesus on his way through Jericho, I doubt that he had any inclination that Jesus would invite himself over for dinner. Usually, we need to tidy up somewhat before we have guests over…. Pick up the newspapers and magazines from the coffee table and bring them out to the trash, knock down a cobweb here and there, (the kids science projects, really…), run the vacuum around to pick up all those unidentified objects that follow us in from the yard. Yes, I’m sure that we all do a little “staging” of our homes to make it look a little more presentable for when our guests arrive. However, Zacchaeus didn’t have time to run home and tidy up when Jesus told him invited himself over.

The beauty and décor of a home comes not so much from how neat it looks or the expensive furniture and accessories but rather from what takes place there. Being with friends, old and new, recalling old memories or giving life to new ones gives a home its character. So, I wonder what Zacchaeus experienced when Jesus entered his home and shared dinner with him? I wonder what they discussed? Do you think that Jesus might have sympathetic to how the community reacted to Zacchaeus’ position as Chief Tax Collector, a position that put him in collaboration with the enemy, the Romans? In light of that, might they have discussed how the community was living out the “Greatest Commandment”, loving God and neighbor? There was so much to talk about! There were so many feelings and emotions in need of healing. The man who invited himself to dinner came to listen and to heal not just Zacchaeus, but us too.

Jesus came, as is written, “to seek and save what was lost”. Life is harsh at times, too often it seems. It is in times of bewilderment and uncertainty, when we lack vision and clarity and we seem lost or confused that we become receptive to God and open to what he is saying to us. He appears, it seems, out of nowhere then, in a visit from a friend, a call from a loved one, kind words from a stranger or even a soft breeze and we hear him say “Here I am; today I must stay with you”. Our hearts are lifted up; and ever so slowly, gradually, ever so gently, he fills all our needs, healing us, forgiving us, loving us simply because he comes to stay with us for a while.

Enjoy the day,
Deacon Tom

Check out www.deaconspod.com for a contemporary Catholic conversation exploring the treasures our faith has to offer.

 

OTHER RESOURCES

Recommended Reading:   Jesus: A Pilgrimage by Fr. James Martin takes us on a journey through the Holy Land to experience Jesus in a deep and personal way.

 

Recommended YouTube Video: The Examen with Fr. James Martin, SJ. a prayerful reflection on the people, events and happening of the day and where you met Jesus in them.  

Check out www.deaconspod.com for a contemporary Catholic conversation exploring the treasures our faith has to offer.