Daily catholic Reflection: Tuesday, November 21, 2023, Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Year A

2 Mc 6:18-31

PS 3:2-3, 4-5, 6-7

Lk 19:1-10                      Full Readings

Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Make an Effort for Jesus

Brethren, Jesus’ encounter with people is mainly to restore them to life and also to friendship with God. He came to save what was lost. Hence, he does not make any distinction between class, race or religion. All are dear to him. He stands at the door and knocks. He “enters and shares a meal” with anyone who opens the door and receives him, offering salvation. The psalmist in Psalm 15 enumerates the qualities of a transformed person. These qualities can be attributed to Zacchaeus after his encounter with Jesus. Personal encounter with Jesus is very important. It brings about the needed transformation and salvation. We should learn from Zacchaeus that if we want to be saved, we need to make an effort too. We need to climb the Sycamore tree and seek out Jesus. This Sycamore tree was also climbed by Jesus himself as he hung on the cross to save us, we too need to climb our crosses and seek Jesus in order to be saved.

Zacchaeus was a tax collector! Tax collectors were despised and treated as outcasts, no doubt because they overcharged people and accumulated great wealth at the expense of others. There is little doubt that this would have affected Zacchaeus and been a temptation for him to see himself as unworthy of Jesus’ compassion and that is why he climbed the sycamore tree just to have a glimpse of Jesus as he passed. But Jesus came precisely for the sinners.  Therefore, Zacchaeus was the perfect “candidate” for the mercy and compassion of Jesus. And his curiosity brough salvation to his house. 

Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD) comments: "Come and let us see what the method of Zacchaeus's conversion was. He desired to see Jesus and therefore climbed into a sycamore tree, and so a seed of salvation sprouted within him. Christ saw this with the eyes of deity. Looking up, he also saw Zacchaeus with the eyes of humanity, and since it was his purpose for all to be saved, he extends his gentleness to him. To encourage him, he says, 'Come down quickly.' Zacchaeus searched to see Christ, but the multitude prevented him, not so much that of the people but of his sins. He was short of stature, not merley in a bodily point of view but also spiritually. He could not see him unless he were raised up from the earth and climbed into the sycamore, by which Christ was about to pass. The story contains a puzzle. In no other way can a person see Christ and believe in him except by climbing up into the sycamore, by making foolish his earthly members of fornication, uncleanness, etc." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 127).

We too have been or are sickening in our sins. Even we can’t stand ourselves when Jesus is knocking at the door because we feel unworthy of meeting him. But let us have the courage to open up for Him. Jesus takes initiative to come to us even when our intention is curiosity like Zacchaeus. Today, Jesus is knocking at your door, the door of your heart, are you ready to open up for him and stay with him, to bring life and salvation to you? make an effort to meet him and your efforts will not go unrewarded, but they will reward you salvation. The Lord Jesus is always ready to make his home with each one of us. Do you make room for him in your heart and in every area of your life?

Let us Pray.

Lord Jesus, come and stay with me. Fill my life with your peace, my home with your presence, and my heart with your praise. Help me to show kindness, mercy, and goodness to all, even to those who cause me ill-will or harm.

 Be blessed.