Cycle C - Year I:  

3 November 2013: 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time:

 (Liturgical color: Green)

Luke 19:1-10

In search for God!

St. Augustine of Hippo wrote: "My heart is restless until it rests in Thee, my God!" 

That seems to be the collective sentiment of the people of Central Visayas, who, after the devastation of a powerful earthquake, seek God's love amidst the ruins of their houses and historical churches. They are our example of people of great determination to keep faith with the Lord even in their sufferings and trials. Because they believe that God's love for his people will prevail in the end.

We will hear an example of such great determination in searching for God in the Gospel narrative for this Sunday. 

On his way to Jericho, Jesus was surrounded by a big crowd of followers. A man of power and money by the name of Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus. Zacchaeus was the chief tax collector, and thus he didn't have the best of reputation among his own people. In fact, he was hated for being a thief and corrupt. 

But Zacchaeus was short in stature so that it was impossible for him to see Jesus because of the crowd. That did not discourage him, and he was so determined to see our Lord that he climbed up a tree to catch a glimpse of Jesus, who was about to pass that way.

We may asked, why does Zacchaeus need to see Jesus face to face? He is a rich man, and doesn't he have everything he needs?

Well, Zacchaeus has heard many stories about Jesus and he knows deep in his heart that this Jesus does not promise a great worldly life, but an everlasting one in heaven. That is why he was determined to do whatever it takes just to get a close look at God. His efforts were rewarded because Jesus noticed him. And Jesus shocked the disciples' sensibilities and those of the crowd when He invited Himself to be the guest in Zacchaeus' house. The crowd murmured that Jesus was going to be the guest with a man who is a sinner.

But Jesus saw past Zacchaeus' crimes to his heart, which was open to the grace that prompted him to climb the tree just to see Jesus. So when Jesus invites Himself to Zacchaeus' house it meant an offer of forgiveness, mercy, and acceptance by God.

On the part of Zacchaeus, he knew that accepting Jesus into his house meant that his life will have to change for the better. He realized that his wealth had come at the expense of the people. Clinging to it would mean letting Jesus go. He had to choose, and he chose wisely. So Zacchaeus told Jesus: "Behold, half of my possession, Lord, I shall give to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone I shall repay it four times over." (Luke 19:8)

The story about Zacchaeus teaches us about determination and humbling ourselves for God. As Christians, we know that God is not about forced entry. He doesn't force Himself on us. The door must be opened from the inside. We must make the decision to yield to His mercy and receive the gift of forgiveness. To receive the gift means that our hands must be empty of worldly concerns. These are the things we must let go if we want to grasp the hands of God.

In practical life, let us pray that we can all be as active and determined as Zacchaeus was in searching for Christ in our every day lives and surrendering all that we have to Him. Are we determined to search for Him and give up everything for God? 

On second thought, it is not we in search for God; in reality it is God always searching for His people since the beginning of time!

A blessed Sunday to us all. And thank you for a moment with God.

Ad Jesum per Mariam!