Daily Gospel Reflection for November 16, 2021

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Today's Gospel: Luke 19:1-10

Zacchaeus was a tax collector. That made him both rich and hated. He was seen as a sinner, stealing from the poor (and probably the rich too) to make himself richer. No one wanted to spend time with a tax collector. Why would you want to dine with someone who had already stolen your money? It made no sense. And yet Jesus asked to dine at Zacchaeus’ house. As the Pharisees and crowds probably asked, What was He thinking?

But Zacchaeus was no ordinary tax collector. He was a man already on the path to conversion. Zacchaeus ran ahead so that he could see Jesus. He climbed a tree so that he could merely lay eyes on Him. Could you imagine a grown adult climbing a tree in a crowd just to get a better look? That would have made an embarrassing sight. But Zacchaeus wasn’t about to let embarrassment get in the way of his desire to see Jesus Christ.

Sometimes we are asked to do embarrassing things that we might become closer to Christ. We might live in a manner that others deem laughable. We might speak differently, act differently. We might watch different movies, or listen to different music. We will spend our Sunday mornings in church, not on the football field. We might have more children, or less money, or an inordinate number of crucifixes in our houses. But we have no reason to be embarrassed. We should receive our Lord with joy, just as Zacchaeus did. Our salvation is at hand. It is here, and we should be ready and willing to do anything to receive Christ into our homes and hearts, just like Zacchaeus.

Ponder:

What have you done in the name of your faith that the world might consider embarrassing?

Pray:

Dear Lord, when I stray from Your way, give me the contrition and strength to return to You; and when I am called upon to act a fool for the faith, give me the courage and confidence to follow You. Amen.