HOMILY FOR THE 31ST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR C.
THEME: “ZACCHAEUS, COME DOWN”
BY: Fr. Cajetan Anyanwu.
HOMILY FOR SUNDAY OCTOBER 30 2022.
This is the 31st Sunday in ordinary time. The biblical Zacchaeus was described as a very short man (cf. Lk. 19:1-10). He was also anxious to see what kind of man Jesus was. The crowd blocked his sight from seeing and knowing Jesus. He did not stop there, he continued to make his way to get to Jesus. He pushed forward and ran ahead of the crowd and climbed a sycamore tree in order to catch a glimpse of Jesus. This was a serious act of faith. He did not allow the crowd to stop him from seeing Jesus. This was an exhibition of self determination.
Although most people make jest of Zacchaeus as being very short in stature. The question is, was he truly short? A critical look at this story might reveal the opposite stature of Zaccaeus. As a chief tax collector, he might have been a huge man physically. But spiritually he was very short. Sin makes one develop spiritual dwarfism. The crowd that blocked his sight might be the many sins he committed. Sin blinds our sight from seeing Jesus. But Zaccaeus was courageous enough to move on in search of Jesus in spite of the crowd.This was the moment of his conversion and a desire fulfilled ( cf. 2 Thes. 1:11-22).
Jesus in his love welcomed Zaccaeus back and went to dine in his house. By this act, Jesus proved himself a friend of those who repent of their sins. The father of all those who need God’s mercy (cf. Wis. 11:22- 12:2). Zaccaeus was resolute in changing from bad ways to doing good. He climbed a tree to run away from his sins. Jesus in his merciful love went to him and said, “Zaccaeus, come down.” In the same way, Jesus is calling all of us to come down from our pride, from our sinfulness and have life in him. Like Zaccaeus, may we make every effort to see Jesus amen. Happy Sunday.