31. Sunday in Ordinary Time C

You have certainly attended some critical events. Whether religious or social, one always desires not only to hear but also to see. That is why you have been nervous when a tall man stood before you. You didn’t see anything through it, you stand on the tip, looking around you for something to get on and nothing. You still can’t see it. You may be disgusted to leave and forgot to take part in such an event. Keep the talk of the Gospel today; he was lucky. He also heard a lot about Jesus, but he also wanted to see him. You helped most naturally. He climbed the tree. He could not be discouraged by the multitude of people, not even because he was probably a smaller figure. He counseled to see Jesus.

In Hebrew, the name Zay means “pure.” But in the case of our Zacchaeus, it was not valid. Many frauds and machinations soiled his hands and conscience. He acquired large property at the customs’ office. It was here that many people from all over the Roman Empire were impressed, and among other things, there was often a debate about Jesus, his teachings, his miracles. One day those who came to the Customs House in Jericho excitedly spoke of the grand procession that went to the city. People accompany him from Jesus of Nazareth. This caused a big stir in the town. Everybody ran away from him. Suddenly Zach had a strong desire to see him. We already know how he solved this problem. Jesus stopped by him and offered himself as a guest. Zacchaeus was filled with unspeakable joy. Until then, he resembled a blind man who was blinded by money and career. Because of this blindness, he saw neither God nor men; that’s why nobody liked him. But someone found him – Jesus! He didn’t despise him. On the contrary, he rewarded his ingenuity and desire for remedy. For Zach said, “Lord, I will give half of my property to the poor, and if I have deceived someone, I will return fourfold.”

Roman law proscribed fourfold compensation for theft. If Zacchaeus offered her, he publicly confessed that he was a thief, and so he wanted to repent publicly. But he also wanted love when he promised half the property to the poor. At that time, “clean” Zach had become clean. This event gives us two thoughts: the call to faith – the joy and happiness of the man of the Lord Jesus. From Scripture, we know that Jesus came into the world to call all men into the kingdom of God. He said, “Come to me all …” and in another point, he says, “I have not come to call the righteous but the sinners.” He clung to her.

Jesus also called us to faith, and let’s see how often we gamble with her. It often becomes a matter of habit for us. She is often dead because we do not support her with any deeds. We will find time for everything, only for God. Are we surprised that we are nervous, overworked, that we are still arguing with someone, and feel that nobody will recognize us? This is because we seek comfort only from men and not from God. Let us remember that where faith fails, everything will gradually fail. We are called to believe in God, and this is to fill us with joy, just as with Zach. He made a feast for Jesus, promised compensation for the damage he had caused by theft, and promised half the property to the poor. He was no longer happy that he was a significant story that he was rich and that people were afraid of him. Be glad he is Jesus’ friend. We, too, being called to faith by Jesus, are his friends. Let us rejoice in this fact. We can also show this joy outside. For example, in the church, we desire not only to hear but also to see, so do not “stitch” in the hallway between doors or corners. Let us be obedient to God’s and ecclesiastical commands. Let us rejoice that we have them because they want us well. We desire to rectify, change, improve our lives. Let us be willing to forgive others. Let us compete in love for our neighbors, because only in this way can we serve God and be friends of Jesus.

From the life of Saint Constantine Cyril, this incident had preserved. When he was a boy, he went hunting with trained sparrowhawk. But he had barely released a predator, a strong wind had come, and although the bird had fought him carried him far away. Constantine wept after him and did not eat for two days. But then you said. What a life it is when there is sorrow in the place of joy. Starting today, I will embark on a journey that is better than the previous one. Let’s face too. That we too often engage in useless things that separate us from the faith, and we seek joy, which is poor and irrelevant, All of this will fly like a bird, and we will be left with sadness and time. Let’ throw away old Zacchaeus  and be a new Zacchaeus.