To Forgive, Not To Condemn

31st Sunday in Ordinary Time
04 November 2007


First reading: Wisdom 11:22 - 12:2
In your sight the whole world is like a grain of dust that tips the scales,
like a drop of morning dew falling on the ground.
Yet you are merciful to all, because you can do all things
and overlook men’s sins so that they can repent.
Yes, you love all that exists, you hold nothing of what you have made in abhorrence,
for had you hated anything, you would not have formed it.
And how, had you not willed it, could a thing persist,
how be conserved if not called forth by you?
You spare all things because all things are yours, Lord, lover of life,
you whose imperishable spirit is in all.
Little by little, therefore, you correct those who offend,
you admonish and remind them of how they have sinned,
so that they may abstain from evil and trust in you, Lord.

Second reading: 2 Thessalonians 1:11 - 2:2
Knowing this, we pray continually that our God will make you worthy of his call, and by his power fulfil all your desires for goodness and complete all that you have been doing through faith; because in this way the name of our Lord Jesus Christ will be glorified in you and you in him, by the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
To turn now, brothers, to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and how we shall all be gathered round him: please do not get excited too soon or alarmed by any prediction or rumour or any letter claiming to come from us, implying that the Day of the Lord has already arrived.

Gospel Luke 19:1 - 10
Jesus entered Jericho and was going through the town when a man whose name was Zacchaeus made his appearance; he was one of the senior tax collectors and a wealthy man. He was anxious to see what kind of man Jesus was, but he was too short and could not see him for the crowd; So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to catch a glimpse of Jesus who was to pass that way. When Jesus reached the spot he looked up and spoke to him: ‘Zacchaeus, come down. Hurry, because I must stay at your house today.’ And he hurried down and welcomed him joyfully. They all complained when they saw what was happening. ‘He has gone to stay at a sinner’s house’ they said. But Zacchaeus stood his ground and said to the Lord, ‘Look, sir, I am going to give half my property to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody I will pay him back four times the amount’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house, because this man too is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek out and save what was lost’.

Reflection
By Nicola S. Albano

I remember drawing comic strips about this Gospel when I was 8 years old. It was a project for my Christian Living class. This Gospel tells a story about a rich man, Zaccheus, of Jericho who repented for his sins the moment he saw Jesus. It was quite a challenge for him to see Jesus because he was short in stature and there was a huge crowd. So he climbed up a sycamore tree and saw Jesus. Jesus was very impressed at the interest that this man had shown towards Him and the creative idea he came up with just to see Him. It made Jesus very happy that He said to him, "Zaccheus, make haste and come down; for this day I must abide in thy house. " As soon as Zaccheus made haste and came down the tree, the expected scenario happened when the crowd gang up against Jesus' supporting character, whoever Jesus was showing special attention to ( i.e. poor, prostitute/sinner, sick, Samaritans, Romans, etc.). The crowd had "self-righteous" stamped all over their foreheads, as if they never made a single mistake in their lives! They always had something to say. These people make me laugh sometimes. I think of them as immature, insecure, jealous, narrow-minded, cold-hearted, unforgiving, judgmental, haters. Don't we all make mistakes? Don't we all commit sins?

Then, Zaccheus feeling mortified because he was put on the spot(1. when Jesus saw him, 2. when Jesus said He'll come to his house, and 3. when the crowd rubbed it in his face that he's a sinner), said, "Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have wronged any man of any thing, I restore him fourfold." Then Jesus replied, "This day is salvation come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost."

God is calling us to conversion. He is almighty. He knows our weaknesses, but still loves us unconditionally. He won't be surprised if we take Him for granted (that's a given because we're human and we have flaws), but He will be delighted if we show some faith and effort (Imagine climbing up a tree to get Jesus to notice you even if you're too short and there's a bazillion people around you? Very clever!) and repentance.

Jesus has come to forgive and not to condemn.

Lord, You came to call us sinners. Grant us with eyes to see with, ears to hear with, and hearts to open up to Your constant call for repentance. May we also be means of Your forgiveness and healing to others especially the destitute. Amen.