DAILY- HOMILY

November 3, 2013

31st Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year C

Memorial, Blessed Rupert Mayer, priest

Wis 11:22-12:1 / Ps 145: 1-2. 8-9. 10-11. 13. 14 / 2 Thes 1:11-2:2 / Lk 19:1-10

Wisdom 11:22-12:1

For the entire world lies before you, just enough to tip the scales, a drop of morning dew falling on the ground. But because you are almighty, you are merciful to all; you overlook sins and give your children Time to repent. You love everything that exists and hate nothing that you have made; had you hated anything, you would not have formed it. How could anything endure if you did not will it? And how could anything last that you had not willed? You have compassion on all because all is yours, O Lord, lover of life. In fact your immortal spirit is in all.

2 Thessalonians 1:11-2:2

This is why we constantly pray for you; may our God make you worthy of his calling. May he, by his power, fulfill your good purposes and your work prompted by faith. In that way, the name of Jesus our Lord will be glorified through you, and you through him, according to the loving plan of God and of Christ Jesus the Lord. Brothers and sisters, let us speak about the coming of Christ Jesus, our Lord, and our gathering to meet him. Do not be easily unsettled. Do not be alarmed by what a prophet says or by any report, or by some letter said to be ours, saying the day of the Lord is at hand.

Luke 19:1-10

When Jesus entered Jericho and passed through the city, a man named Zaccheus lived there. He was a tax collector and a wealthy man. He wanted to see what Jesus was like, but he was a short man and could not see him because of the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed up a sycamore tree. From there he would be able to see Jesus, who was going to pass that way. When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him Zaccheus, "Zaccheus, come down quickly, for I must stay at your house today." So Zaccheus climbed down and received him joyfully. All the people who saw it began to grumble, and said, "He has gone as a guest to the house of a sinner." But Zaccheus spoke to Jesus, "Half of what I own, Lord, I will give to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone, I will pay him back four Times as much." Looking at him Jesus said, "Salvation has come to this house today, for he is also a true son of Abraham. The Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost."

Reflection

The gospel reading talks about three things: the searching sinner, the seeking Savior and the spectacular salvation.

The Searching Sinner: While Zacchaeus was very wealthy and successful by the world's standards, he knew something was missing. Even people today, if they are honest, will eventually admit that there is more to life than just trying to make money and obtain possessions. Zacchaeus not only wanted to see Jesus, he wanted to know as well who Jesus was. He may not have fully understood what was going on in his heart, but Zacchaeus had a desperate need to get to Jesus. Zacchaeus had at least two problems that day. The first was that he was a short man, and the second was that his sins were keeping him from Jesus. He was short on integrity and tall on sin. Zacchaeus did not allow anything, not the crowd nor his condition, to stand between him and his desire to see Jesus.

What about you? Do you care enough about the condition of your soul to pay whatever price is necessary to be right with God? Are you willing to turn from that little pet sin? Are you ready to run to Him?

The Seeking Savior: Jesus knew the spiritual state of Zacchaeus, and he was filled with compassion toward him. This is how it always happens. Jesus makes the first move by coming to the sinner and offering life through himself. We would never be able to come to Jesus unless he came to us first. This is the only instance in the four gospels where we read of Jesus inviting himself to someone's home for a meal. Jesus must stay at his house because it pictures what his ministry is all about. He came to save sinners from their sins.

The Spectacular Salvation: After the meal and conversation with Jesus, Zacchaeus was fully sold out to Christ. Jesus had changed his heart and now he wanted to demonstrate that change through his restitution. Whenever Jesus meets someone there is change. If you've never changed, it may be because you are not fully sold out to Jesus. Are you so deeply embedded in the world that you cannot change course? Zacchaeus was locked into a way of life that was pretty hard to change and yet Jesus changed him. And he can do the same for you.

Prayer Requests

We pray …

… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the unborn.

… for the speedy recovery and healing of

Lorenzo Meoli

Ditas dela Paz, Toots Monfort, Virginia Hernandez, and Fleur Torres

Renan Lacida, Cha Dilla, Karen and Ramon Domingo

Palo Perez

… for the personal intentions of Mariam Dedios, Ma. Amparo Dedios

.. In Memoriam: Roperta Santiago, Go Bon Chong, Soterania Santiago, Amado Santiago, Bernardo Santiago Jr.

… for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.

Birthday: Jhun Felisilda

Birthday: Ubaldo N. Inocentes

Birthday: Zenaida Dy Tan

In Memoriam (+): Yu Lim Lian Eng (1915 - 2009)

… for families who are in need of healing

… for world peace and reconciliation.

Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers and for those who need our prayers the most.

Have a good day!

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