November 17, 2009, Tuesday St. Elizabeth of Hungary

Read: 2 Mc. 6: 18-31 Lk. 19: 1-10

Opening Prayer
 

“Zacchaeus, a chief tax col­lector and also a wealthy man, was seeking to see who Jesus was; but he could not see him because of the crowd, for he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus, who was about to pass that way.” (Lk 19:1-4)

A rich man running ahead of the crowd, climbing a tree to catch a glimpse of Jesus from above? He forgot himself, his social po­sition, his dignity -- the stature of being a Roman government functionary!

Jesus intentionally passed under the tree where he would encounter Zacchaeus, hidden among the leaves.

Jesus looked up, called out to Zacchaeus, and told him that He wanted to stay in his house. Zacchaeus could not believe his ears! He leaped down from the tree and ran to prepare a place for Jesus and His disciples.

For it's part, the crowds could not believe their eyes, and began to criticize Jesus for what He was about to do -- to dine with a collaborator -- in his home!

Zacchaeus, moved by Jesus’ words and presence, offered to pay back fourfold all the injus­tices he had perpetrated, and to sell off his riches and give the money to the poor.

The goodness of Jesus is irre­sistible to the heart, if we have sufficient interest in growing closer to Him, leaving our pride and our worldly status behind.

Reflection and commentary

Psalm 25:4-5 “Make known to me your ways, LORD; teach me your paths.”

St. Elizabeth, died in 1231; wife of Louis IV of Thuringia and mother of three sons; as a widow she became a Franciscan tertiary, dedicated to the needs of the poor and the sick; canonized four years after her death; patroness of the Franciscan third order.

Our Prayer Continues