Sunday 30 October

Thirty First Week of Ordinary Time

Wisdom 11:22-12:2; Psalm 145:1-2, 8-11, 13-14; 2Thessalonians 1:11-2:2; Luke 19:1-10

Seeing Jesus

Zaccheus is a counterbalance to the previous chapter’s respectable, controlling Rich Young Man whose wealth blocks him from following Jesus (‘What must I do?’). Zacchaeus is also rich – but despised by his community. His physical limitation is symbolic of his social smallness. He collects from his own people the taxes for the foreign oppressor, becoming rich by adding his own commission. Yet he wants to ‘see’ Jesus. Climbing the tree might look foolish or childish yet this very carelessness or abandon is just the opening that Jesus needs.