Glory be to Jesus Christ. Glory be to God. I'm
so pleased that Father has asked me to give the
homily today. And it's more than a coincidence
that at the same time, if you take a peek at
your right, the monks have started Started the
depiction of Zacchaeus. Going. And our Lord going
through Jericho. I want to begin by saying that
there is no more. Important. Significant and
relevant passage found. In the Holy Scripture.
Than the one we heard in today's gospel. which
was taken from the 19th chapter of St. Luke.
And in particular, I want to focus in on this
one passage. Jesus has come to seek and to save
that which was lost. This passage also is found...
In many of the liturgical prayers. And a similar
passage is found in the Old Testament. In the
book of Ezekiel. When God says to the prophet.
I will seek the lost. Bring back the scattered.
You could put here the word drifters. I underline
the word drifters. Bind up the broken heart.
Today's gospel theme is essentially on this passage.
You know, my dear people, so many preachers are
promoting a theology which can be called a cotton
cat. A cotton candy approach. What do I mean
by that? It is contrary to the basic truth that
Jesus has taught. A faith that no longer requires
repentance. A faith that has removed the cross
from the church. A faith that does not speak
of sin. A faith that does not speak of the cross
and the narrow path which the gospel speaks of
is not Christian. Simply not Christian. And that's
not being narrow -minded. It's simply being true
to the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Now,
most of us are familiar with our Lord's unusual,
and shall we say, revelationary encounter with
Zacchaeus. He was the chief tax collector of
Jericho. Probably something similar to our Las
Vegas. Now the evangelist gives us some insight
into his personality. He was a social and religious
outcast because of his questionable moral character.
He was deceitful with dealings with others. The
gospel is clear. He was an extortioner. And he
acquired great wealth through bribery. And most
important, he was physically short in stature.
Now that's important to remember. And I'll be
anxious to see how the monks depict him. He heard
of Christ's teachings, of his miracles, and of
our Lord's compassion. Since he was passing through
his city, Jericho, He decided to see if he could
get a glimpse of Jesus. But the narrow streets
were already crowded, filled with people, and
so he was unable even to get a glimpse of the
prophet. Out of frustration, he decided to leave.
But as he was leaving, he spotted a sycamore
tree. And he grabbed onto the first branch and
there thought he would hide himself with the
leaves. So he wouldn't be seen by other people.
Because they despised him. What an amazing. Shocking.
And surprising thing that happened. The Lord
stopped at that very tree. Looked up. And said
Zacchaeus come down. I must. visit your home.
Zacchaeus to his surprise wondered how Jesus
knew his name. And he thought, well, if he knows
my name, he's going to expose me to all of the
people. And it will be a dreadful, dreadful experience
for me. But two things I want to point out. It
would be a mistake to think that this was a chance
encounter, a coincidence of Christ meeting Zacchaeus.
Christ's encounter was a divinely ordained appointment.
Secondly, As I mentioned, Zacchaeus was concerned
that he may be exposed. But notice two things.
Jesus never condemned him. And Jesus said, I
must visit with you. You know, some fathers consider
that tree. As a symbol of the church. Because
it's in the church that we are elevated. Spiritually.
Above this earth. Salvation is only possible.
In and through the church. He who has God for
his father. Has the church. For his mother. Said
Saint Cyprian. It is grace which elevates us
from the world. It's the church where we stand
on holy ground. It's the church separating us
from the deceit and idolatry of this world. It's
the church where we are spiritually nourished
in Christ. Where we are joyfully Joined in prayer.
In honoring and glorifying God. It's in church
where we receive forgiveness of sins. Through
the sacrament. It's in the church together. That
we support one another. And our pilgrimage to
the kingdom of God. After meeting with Christ.
We are told specifically of his repentance. Now
Zacchaeus went far beyond what the legal requirements
were to have his sins forgiven. He said, if I
have taken anything from any man by false accusation,
I will restore him fourfold. I would like to
elaborate more on this passage. But as usual.
Time constraints. Limits me. Saint Clement of
Alexandria. In commenting on this particular
passage. said that Jesus saw Zacchaeus not only
in terms of his past life, but also in terms
of his future possibilities. And isn't this true?
He did the same with St. Matthew. Isn't it true
he did the same with Mary Magdalene? Especially
with Saul, who became Paul, one of the greatest
of all Christians. The point is what Zacchaeus,
what our Lord did for Zacchaeus, he can do for
us. Jesus came to seek and to save that which
was lost. In the New Testament term, however,
lost does not mean eternally condemned. It means
being lost in the world from God. From God's
teaching. To our loving and forgiving Lord. Who
has come to save and to seek that which was lost.
Glory, honor, and thanksgiving. Amen.