TODAY I MUST STAY IN YOUR HOUSE

XXXI SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - Luke 19:1-10

Last week, we heard the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector - a parable dealing with two ways of approaching God: with pride or with humility. The Pharisee boasted about himself, as if he was the best in the world and as if God himself was obliged yo give him praise. In his pride, he despised everybody else and considered them as sinners. The tax collector acknowledged his sin and asked for forgiveness, well aware that on his own he cannot be saved. He relied completely on God and entrusted himself to his mercy. In this Sunday’s gospel, we have a very similar situation, presented in a real-life story: the encounter of Zacchaeus with Jesus. He was “a chief tax collector”, having thus a prestigious position in society. Befitting his rank, he was rich; however, living in a deeply religious society, he had everything against him. He knew that being hated and despised by all, the crowd would never let him come close to Jesus. Being “small in stature”, he felt deeply his smallness. His wealth might have given him influence and some respect, but that was not enough to disguise the fact that he had become a stranger in the eyes of the people. This emptiness spurred in him the desire to seek someone who would look at him with kindness and welcome him as a person. He became creative and turned the disadvantage into an advantage. His curiosity was so great that he climbed a tree to see Jesus. Jesus, being always attentive to the slightest hint of search, restlessness, and interest, noticed it and immediately act upon it, calling on Zacchaeus to come down and to welcome as a guest in his house. 

To each one of us. Jesus goes on saying, "Today I must stay in your house.” Are we going to welcome him with joy?