October 30, 2016
31st Sunday Ordinary Time
Do children still climb trees? We did growing up. It helps when there is a big maple tree in your backyard. Depending on the season of the year, trees can be a place to hide and, through gaps in the foliage, enable the climber to see some distance. It can also be a risky perch. Why does Zacchaeus climb a tree? Just to see Jesus? The name “Zacchaeus†means “clean.†It is not a good name for a tax collector for the Roman army who is keeping an exorbitant commission. By running ahead and climbing a tree Zacchaeus avoids the jabs and jeers of his angry Jewish neighbors. As Zacchaeus sees Jesus approaching, Jesus is looking for Zacchaeus! Using an imperative, Jesus tells Zacchaeus to come down because he wants to come to his home. When Jesus is derided for going to the home of the likes of Zacchaeus, Zacchaeus pledges to give half of his money to the poor and to those he has defrauded promises to pay back fourfold. It seems to be an apparent dramatic change of heart. Or has the there been a growing dissatisfaction within Zacchaeus about his own life? The encounter with Jesus (seeing him and hearing his voice) brings a significant change or conversion but Zacchaeus’ initial curiosity springs from a longing in his hearts for God’s mercy and grace. Can we imagine Jesus searching for us, overlooking our sins, and saying: “I want to stay in your home?†What can happen to us when Jesus stays in our home?
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