Gospel for 18 November 2014

GOSPEL LK 19:1-10

At that time Jesus came to Jericho and intended to pass through the town. Now a man there named Zacchaeus, who was a chief tax collector and also a wealthy man, was seeking to see who Jesus was; but he could not see him because of the crowd, for he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus, who was about to pass that way. When he reached the place, Jesus looked up and said, “Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house.” And he came down quickly and received him with joy. When they saw this, they began to grumble, saying, “He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner.” But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone I shall repay it four times over.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house because this man too is a descendant of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost.”
Reflection:
A schoolgirl, who was saved frm drowning into a well, was asked, "What were u b4?" She said, a sinner. Then she was asked, "What r u nw?" She answered, a sinner. They asked her again, "What is d difference?" She replied, b4 I was a sinner running after sin, bt nw I m a sinner running away frm sin.
In today's Gospel, while Jesus was passing thru d city of Jericho, He met Zacchaeus, who was a sinner bz he was d chief tax-collector & had cheated on many pple while collecting tax.
What lessons do v learn frm Zacchaeus?
1. He was having so much curiousity to see Jesus that he evn forgot his official status of being d chief tax-collector. He showed a gr8 desire to see Jesus. V must cum down frm our pride to receive Jesus in our hearts.
2. He was conscious that he had nt acquired all his wealth in d right manner. So he repented & decided to give half of his property to d poor. Those who repent must first set right d injustice done to others.
Like Zacchaeus, those who desire to see Jesus & experience Him in their lives must strive hard to overcome all difficulties & hindrances. Evn tho v r sinners, v must welcum d Lord in our hearts so that He can transform us.