Zack’s Selfie With JZ

First Reading: Wisdom 11:22 -- 12:2

In your sight, Lord, 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.

Psalm: Psalm 145:1-2, 8-11, 13-14

Second Reading: 2 Thessalonians 1:11 -- 2:2

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 Nats Vibiesca

JZ was the star passing down town  Zack, the infamous BIR guy, curiously googled the itinerary of JZ. He climbed an unknown tree carrying his Canon Rebel T5i. Up there, he waited for JZ. It’s the perfect spot to see JZ. Never mind if he’s short. He’s handsome in his latest DSLR. Actually, Zack wanted to take a perfect selfie shot with JZ. Soon Zack’s in his selfie location heard screaming and rejoicing. He readied the 3 inch vari-angle pop out screen of his selfie toy. He touched the screen for some commands. Now, he puts the mode into Live View. Then, tested some creative filters before taking the shot. He previewed the shots and was satisfied. He knew that many likers will flash thumbs up on this selfie shot once uploaded on FB. But when he’s about to take the shot, JZ called on him. “Zack, are you crazy? Let’s have some drinks at your house.” Zack missed the perfect selfie shot.

This maybe the Gospel version of the selfie generation. But the reflection is simply the same. We are like Zack on selfie mode, seeking to see who Jesus is, but actually Jesus is the one who seeks us out. We are selfish sinners seeking peace and love. Ashamed of our sins, despised by many people, lost and nothing to be proud of, yet Jesus goes to tell us that He wants to stay with us personally, inside our home. This is inside our hearts. What can we ask more of a God who seek and save what was lost? Jesus, our Good Shepherd, wants to save us not for a day but all our life long. When we accept Jesus in our hearts, actions will speak through unselfish acts towards our neighbour, especially the poor. With Jesus dwelling in our hearts we become enthusiastic in helping the poor.  While Jesus keeps our hearts burning with love, we repay four times those we have hurt by stealing the resources of the poor.   

By the way, Zack took 1,000 selfie shots with JZ. But never posted a single selfie shot on FB. JZ, asks “I thought you will tag me some photos on FB? What happen to our 1,000 wacky shots?” Zack smiled, he said “I will just keep our selfie photos, instead I will post pictures of poor people but happy in life because they have a short friend who is willing to help them.” You may want to know that Zack immediately texted those he extorted over the years and intends to repay four times over. Only JZ can make these things possible.

Prayer

Dear Jesus, stay with us, dwell in our hearts, keep our hearts burning with love. You know that we are selfish, you know that we are lost, you know that we are sinful. Have mercy on us, Jesus, our true Good Shepherd, save us and help us.  Amen.