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Homily for Tuesday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time, 15 Nov 2022, Lk 19,1-10
I have a feeling that this was not the first time Zaccheus was observing Jesus from a distance. I think he had been spying on him prior to that encounter, probably listening to his teachings, but from afar, from a vantage point where he could see and hear him without being seen or heard himself.
Maybe he had felt like Jesus’ words were being addressed to him personally whenever he listened to him from afar. You know how it is with the Word of God; it has the power to change people’s lives. Remember that passage in Hebrews 4:12 that says, the Word of God is “living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.”
I have heard many stories of people who were not serious about their faith until one day, the Word of God hit them even as they kept a safe distance. I know someone who said he just attended a funeral Mass and he stood at the back pretending not to listen, but the sound system was good and he felt himself drawn to listen to every word. In fact, he felt like the priest was addressing every word of his homily to him personally.
Our first reading today, for example contains words that are like the two-edged swords described by Hebrews: “You think you are alive, but in truth, you are dead… You think you are rich, but in truth you are so poor and wretched… You are neither hot nor cold… Buy from me the real gold that will make you rich, spiritually, the real clothes that will cover your nakedness, the real ointment that will open your eyes and make you see… Those whom I love, I discipline.” These words of John in the Book of Revelations are timeless.
I imagine how Jesus said words like these, words which caught the attention of a tax collector like Zaccheus, from a distance. I imagine Zaccheus wanting to come close to Jesus but holding back, because he did not feel worthy. And so he got the surprise of his life when one day, it was Jesus himself who took the initiative and drew near to him. He may have thought he would not be seen fro up there where he had positioned himself. But Jesus, who was passing by, stopped right in front of the sycamore tree, looked up at him and even invited himself to have dinner with him at his house. It means Jesus had been aware of his presence from a distance all the time and Zaccheus did not know it. Actually another way of putting, “Come down, Zaccheus” was “Come near, Zaccheus.” You want to be my friend? I want it more than you do.
That was enough to change the life of Zaccheus. That was his chance to become truly alive, not dead, truly rich, not wretched. He did not think twice anymore when he heard Jesus as it were “kocking at the door”. All that Jesus was asking of him was to open up. That was all that it took to change his life’s direction and fulfill his heart’s deepest desire. And he went for it.
I know that some of those whom Jesus wants to visit are keeping a safe distance. Some of them have not stopped watching online because Jesus’ word have pierced their souls many many times. Inevitably, the time comes when he draws near and comes knocking. When that time comes, please, don’t hesitate. Open up. It might be the very first day of the rest of your life.
