The concluding section of chapter 18, omitted between last Sunday’s and today’s reading, contains the same matter as the passages from Mark’s Gospel read in Year B on the Twenty-Seventh, Twenty-Eighth, and Thirtieth Sundays. Luke is the only evangelist who records this incident about the tax collector, Zacchaeus. Last Sunday’s readings showed God’s acceptance of the sinful tax collector who turned to him in repentance. Today’s reading provides a concrete example of how this repentance is worked out in reality. It may begin, as so many healing contacts with Jesus do, in a tentative and curious, but not fully committed way. But Jesus himself transforms the heart. How? By simple, total, and unconditional acceptance of the sinner. Notice that Jesus did not say: "Zacchaeus, I’d stay at your house if only you’d mend your evil ways." No, he says only, "Hurry down, I mean to stay at your home today."

Then, in his act of welcome, Zacchaeus is transformed by Jesus’ love. Unlike the rich man a few verses before (Lk 18:18-25), he is willing to empty himself of the worldly possessions that displace God’s love. He is a grown-up example of accepting the kingdom as a small child would (Lk 18:15-17). All indications point to his having been a small man in every way before his encounter with Jesus. And Jesus characteristically leads him to true greatness of stature.

Read at least chapters 11 and 12 of this book. The author sings of the mercy of God not only toward the Jews but also toward their enemies. This shows a remarkable development of religious outlook that occurred among Jewish communities living as a small minority among pagan peoples outside Israel when this book was written (first century B.C.E.). The Jewish people are seen not only as God’s favored ones, but as the instruments of his salvation to all humanity. Truly, God did not make the world out of nothing; he made it out of his own love. And his love extends to all that he has made. If this love is not everywhere evident, it is our fault, not his. We are called to make his love a living reality in the world.

This psalm praises God for his works of both creation and salvation of his people. Response: "I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God."

Some members of the Christian community at Thessalonica were expecting the second coming of Christ at any minute, so they used this as an excuse to drop out of normal life. Apparently their headstrong attitude and refusal to work was becoming a nuisance in the community as well as an added reason for the pagans to persecute the Christians. Paul’s advice is equally applicable today. We simply do not know the time of the Lord’s return, and the only possible attitude is one of continuing our lives as normal — but in a spirit of watchfulness and prayer.

1. Try to put yourself in Zacchaeus’ place, and describe how you would feel about this Gospel event.

2. How should we live now in a state of readiness for the Lord’s return?