Wisdom 11:22—12:2/Psalm 145:1-2,8-9,10-11,13,14/2 Thessalonians 1:11—2:2/Luke 19:1-10
BE AVAILABLE FOR SALVATION
The gospel presents with the the story of Zacchaeus. He was a rich tax collector, who became rich at the detriment of the people. Some are rich today because they cheating others. Nevertheless, Jesus sought Zacchaeus out, “Zacchaeus come down” He said. Immediately, Zacchaeus who had climbed a tree just so he can see Jesus, came down, repented and had a ‘firm purpose of amendment’. Christ forgave and restored him. Salvation of souls is the primary mission of Jesus Christ. Everyone is eligible for salvation. We should be available against all odds, otherwise the end shall be miserable. These odds could be the crowd as in the case of Zacchaeus, or materialism, intellectualism, immorality, idolatry, power and pride.
The first reading tells us that God is merciful to all and he loves all things that exist. This mercy of God is further exposed in today’s psalm. It says; “God is kind and full of compassion, slow to anger, abounding in mercy, He is good to all and compassionate to all his creatures.” Zacchaeus was found by mercy. While God was slow to anger showing mercy to Zacchaeus; the crowd took to anger and complained about Jesus attitude with sinners. Beloved, if God is slow to anger it will be dangerous for us to be quick to anger. Let us join Christ in the mission of restoring sinners.
Again, we are told in verse 7 of the Gospel that “They all murmured when they saw what was happening. “He has gone to stay at a sinner’s house”. They ‘murmur’ because for them it was scandalous that Jesus will be with a sinner. Similarly, in Matt. 9:10-17, Mark 2:15-22,Luke 5:29-39 the Pharisees murmured that Christ eats with tax collectors and sinners. Today, people have not stop murmuring; some people continue to murmur and gossip their priests especially when they are seen with ladies. Though I do not exonorate certain failures amongst ministers, we should however help and not hinder. Don’t forget how Miran and Aaron were punished for murmuring against Moses (Number 12). The people saw a sinner but Jesus saw a willing soul.
Lastly, Zacchaeus said “ I will give half of my goods to the poor and if I have defrauded any one of anything, I will restore it fourfold.” This is called Restitution, in fact to say fourfold he went far beyond what was legally necessary. Restitution in moral theology signifies an act of commutative justice by which exact reparation as far as possible is made for an injury that has been done to another.
It means returning to its rightful owner whatever had been unjustly taken from that person. This reparation is done either by returning what had been taken or by some other form of compensation. Restitution is binding in conscience because a person who does not make restitution when he or she is able to do so remains a thieve or a sinner.
We cannot obtain absolution at the confessional for an item we stole that is still under our possession. Absolution may be given but that sin remains until the stolen item is returned to it’s rightful owner. Beloved, in truth, the act of Zacchaeus simply shows that no sin can be pardoned without sincere contrition and a firm purpose of amendment. Let us go and do the same.
