31st Sunday: The Happy Priest on the Example of Zacchaeus

In order to see Jesus, he could not remain among the crowds as Jesus made his way through the city of Jericho.   Not only because he was short in size, but equally important because he was so hated, Zacchaeus would have been pushed and shoved around by the resentful people. Thus he had to see Jesus in another way.  He had to climb a tree. Jesus can call someone who is open, someone who is searching.  Many others gathered along the way, but only one was called by Jesus. 

CORPUS CHRISTI, TX (Catholic Online) - As the end of another liturgical year quickly approaches, the Church presents to us another beautiful and uplifting message through this Sunday's liturgy.  Once again we are reminded of the mercy of God and the call to conversion.

In this Sunday's first reading we hear these consoling words: "Therefore you rebuke offenders little by little, warn them and remind them of the sins they are committing, that they may abandon their wickedness and believe in you, O Lord!" (Wisdom 12: 2).  Zacchaeus is someone who recognized his sin and repented of all the wrong that he had done.

But, let us take a look at where the gospel narrative is taking place.  The historical circumstances will help us to understand Zacchaeus. 

Jericho is the oldest town in the world, dating back more than 10,000 years. It lies approximately 860 feet below sea level, making it also the lowest town on earth. Known as the 'City of Palms', Jericho contains some of the world's most important historic sites and is frequently mentioned in the Bible.

Jericho's contribution to civilization is unique. The domestication of plants and animals and the invention of pottery took place in ancient Jericho 1,000 years before Mesopotamia and Egypt, while the walls and towers of Jericho preceded the pyramids of Egypt by 4,000 years. Jericho's moderate climate continues to make it today a favorite winter resort for many people. It is an important agricultural area, producing fresh fruits and vegetables year round. Jericho dates, bananas, balsam groves and citrus fruits are especially famous.  During the time of the Roman Empire, the Romans exported the dates and balsam which enjoyed world fame. 

The wealth of the region made it one of the best sources of taxes.  Zacchaeus was a tax collector.  He was probably the most hated man in the city of Jericho.  Those who collected taxes for the Roman government were considered traitors by the Jewish people. Moreover, the money tax collectors extorted over and above the tax went to line their own pockets, yet another reason for hating them.

By the time this Sunday's gospel narrative actually took place, Zacchaeus had already heard that Jesus differed markedly from all of the religious leaders of his time. Furthermore, Zacchaeus had heard that Jesus welcomed all whom conventional society considered to be outcasts. 

Zacchaeus must have been very unhappy.  As a tax collector, he was both hated and corrupt.  That he wanted to see Jesus must have meant that he was searching for the happiness, meaning and purpose lacking in his life.

In order to see Jesus, he could not remain among the crowds as Jesus made his way through the city of Jericho.   Not only because he was short in size, but equally important because he was so hated, Zacchaeus would have been pushed and shoved around by the resentful people. Thus he had to see Jesus in another way.  He had to climb a tree.

The tree that Zacchaeus climbed was probably easy to ascend.  It was a common tree of that time called the mulberry fig tree.  It had a short trunk and wide spreading branches going out in all directions. 

As Jesus passed by, he noticed Zacchaeus perched above the crowd and called him by name.  "Zacchaeus, make haste and come down; for I must stay at your house today" (Luke 19: 5).

The longing leads to a personal invitation and a response.  Jesus can call someone who is open, someone who is searching.  Many others gathered along the way, but only one was called by Jesus. 

After the initial encounter, conversion takes place.  Zacchaeus immediately changes the way he lives his life.  No one is ever the same who truly encounters the Lord Jesus.  "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" (Luke 19: 8).  In his act of restitution Zacchaeus went beyond what was prescribed by the Jewish law.  He showed everyone that he had become a new person. 

"But you have mercy on all, because you can do all things; and you overlook people's sins that they may repent" (Wisdom 12: 23-24).

Jesus wants us to have life.  He wants us to be happy.  He wants us to have the best possible life here on earth.  He wants to fill us with his divine life, sanctifying grace, so that we may enter into his joy.  He wants us to experience his peace.  He wants us to be with him in eternal life in heaven.  He only wants the best for us.  This is why he wants us to open our hearts to him and let him enter in.

Have no fear of allowing Jesus to enter into your life.  Do not fear the most exciting, most joyful and the most powerful relationship known to the human person. 

"So often today man does not know what is within him, in the depths of his mind and heart. So often he is uncertain about the meaning of his life on this earth. He is assailed by doubt, a doubt which turns into despair.  We ask you therefore, we beg you with humility and trust, let Christ speak to man. He alone has words of life, yes, of eternal life" (Pope John Paul the Great, homily, October 22, 1978).

We are made by God to live forever.  We have been given the gift of an immortal soul.  Jesus does not want us to live a life of sadness.  He does not want us to wallow in doubt, frustration and uncertainty.     

"Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house" (Luke 19: 19: 6). 

Jesus wants us to change.  He invites us to find happiness and salvation in the only one who provides us these immense gifts.  We need to change.  Once again, this Sunday's liturgy reminds us of the Sacrament Confession and the importance of this tremendous sacrament that Jesus gave to us. It is an invitation to mercy and beginning again. 

"Therefore you rebuke offenders little by little, warn them and remind them of the sins they are committing, that they may abandon their wickedness and believe in you, O Lord!" (Wisdom 12: 2).

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Father James Farfaglia, the Happy Priest, is the pastor of Saint Helena of the True Cross of Jesus Catholic Church in Corpus Christi, Texas.  Father has a hard hitting blog called Illegitimi non carborundum.  He has also published a book called Man to Man: A Real Priest Speaks to Real Men about Marriage, Sexuality and Family Life.  You can contact Father at fjficthus@gmail.com.  You can click here for the audio podcast of this Sunday homily.

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