Scripture Reflection, November 4: Risk, Hospitality and Justice

Scripture Readings:
Wisdom 11:22-12:2
Psalm 145
2 Thessalonians 1:11-2:2
Luke 19: 1-10

The gospel story of Zacchaeus is an endearing and memorable one that even has a humorous touch to it. Every child in religious education class can imagine the picture of this “vertically challenged” fellow scurrying up the sycamore tree so that he can catch a glimpse of Jesus above the crowds. The story even gives rise to obvious puns, like Zacchaeus “going out on a limb for Jesus.” But, of course, puns are the lowest form of humor and should never even be mentioned in a Scripture reflection (!).

Besides being humorous and homey, the story of Zacchaeus is also a compelling one. It is actually a story for adults. It has a great deal to say to us about our own encounters with Jesus. It speaks to us about our relationship with the Lord, a relationship that has its own history and one that invites us to ongoing conversion. If we reflect upon this scene in the gospel, we can recognize in it three essential aspects of our life with Christ: (1) risk; (2) hospitality; and (3) justice.

Luke tells us that Zacchaeus, the superintendent of taxes and a wealthy man, was trying to see who Jesus was. He was seeking Jesus. At the end of the story we will hear that Jesus is the one who “has come to seek and to save the lost.” Zacchaeus is trying to see the one who has actually come in search of him. In order to see Jesus, Zacchaeus has to take a risk. He must be willing to look a little foolish in front of the crowd. Zacchaeus was a public person, well-known and despised by his fellow Jews for “selling out” to the Romans in order to enrich himself. I would suspect that part of him resisted looking so foolish in front of these people, as he climbed the sycamore tree. The air would have been rife with sarcastic comments about this little man, especially as the crowd saw him up in the tree. Yet Zacchaeus is a person of enthusiasm and desire. He has heard about this Jesus and wants to see him with his own eyes. So, despite the crowd and the risk of appearing foolish, he does something unusual in order to see Jesus.

Sometimes we have to risk, to step away from the crowd and even appear foolish, in order to get a closer look at Jesus in our lives. We are called to attitudes and ways of behavior that may not receive a lot of approval or encouragement from the crowd. It may be that remaining faithful to the celebration of the Eucharist and the sacramental life of the Church is something that does not get much support from friends, peers, or even family members. In a society filled with noise and constant visual and audio stimulation, one dimension of our stepping away from the crowd in order to get a better look at Jesus involves taking time regularly for prayer and reflection. We need to take the risk of talking to Christ about our lives and listening to him. To some, the commitment to do that will appear foolish and unproductive. But it just might turn out to be the most productive endeavor that we engage in.

This gospel story also speaks to us about hospitality. Zacchaeus welcomes Jesus to his home with joy, with sheer delight. Once again, the crowd does not like this one single bit. They grumble: “He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner.” Yet through this welcome Zacchaeus experiences communion with Jesus and, in Jesus, he experiences communion with God. All this happens “today” – an important word in Luke’s gospel. “Today salvation has come to this house.” This is the “today”, the “now” of God’s special invitation in Jesus.

In our lives, Jesus does not break down the doors of our hearts. He does not compel us to respond to him, though he continues to knock on the door. You and I are called to invite Christ to be at the very center of our lives. We must welcome him into our homes, at our tables, in our work, our friendships, our play and relaxation. Zacchaeus reminds us of the need to receive Christ with joy. As we continue to invite him to be at the center of our lives, we slowly but surely begin to see reality differently. The people and the circumstances around us may not change, but we begin to look at them with fresh eyes.

In and through his encounter with Jesus, Zacchaeus becomes a person of justice. His encounter with Christ leads him to recognize the need for integrity in his dealings with others. And it moves him to active concern for the poor. His relationship with Christ is not just a private matter, isolated from everyone else. In seeing Jesus, Zacchaeus is given a new vision of his relationships with others. Throughout his gospel, Luke keeps reminding us that “the disposition of the heart is symbolized by the disposition of possessions” (L.T. Johnson, The Gospel of Luke, Sacra Pagina 3, 287). The stewardship of our personal resources is integral to our relationship with God. Zacchaeus is brought to a renewed sense of justice, which includes compassion for the disadvantaged.

As Catholic Christians, our rich tradition of social justice teaching is built on this same dynamic. Our relationship with Christ, especially our communion with Christ in the Eucharist, is meant to change the ways in which we see others and open our eyes to the need to build a society of greater justice. In particular, this relationship is meant to open our eyes to the presence and the cries of the disadvantaged of our society.

In the first reading for this Sunday, taken from the Book of Wisdom, the author is overcome by the mystery and majesty of God. As this writer puts it, before the Lord the entire universe is like a single grain or a drop of morning dew. And yet this same author also celebrates the abundant mercy of God. “But you spare all things because they are yours, O Lord and lover of souls.” This passage celebrates God’s indomitable, and very particular, love for every creature. Zacchaeus experienced that very particular love of God in his encounter with Jesus, who came to dine in his home. In the Eucharist we have the privilege of experiencing Christ’s very particular love for us, if we will only invite him into our hearts.

Robin Ryan, CP