31st Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gospel – Luke19:1-10

From Great Heights

Sycamore Tree, Jericho

My mom is a bit on the short side!  And there have been plenty of times over the years when we have been asked to get something off the top shelf in the pantry or closet, something she couldn’t reach.  Of course we did have a small step-stool that she would use from time to time to do it herself.  And sometimes that would lead to some mis-adventures as she might insist on reaching for something herself. 

So I have to wonder whether today is National Short People’s Day, in honor of Zacchaeus in today’s Gospel.  Poor guy! Not only was he short and probably picked on because of it but he was also a tax collector and, in fact, the chief tax collector.  So not only was he teased; he was also despised by his fellow Jews for working with the Romans.  He was powerful and wealthy and hated for it.  He was looked on as a traitor and a cheat, pocketing money not only from his clients but, since he was the chief tax collector, from all the other tax collectors that he supervised.

Today’s Gospel gives us this utterly ridiculous image of Zacchaeus climbing a sycamore tree just to catch a glimpse of Jesus as He is passing through Jericho.  It’s a story that reminds me of all the times I gave our daughter Jaime a piggy-back ride so that she could see things better, especially when we were at the zoo or a parade!

At the time, Jericho was an oasis in the desert.  Far enough away from the heat of Jerusalem and yet close enough to the Dead Sea to enjoy spa treatments and mud baths, it was home away from home for the wealthy and elite!  It was called the city of palms; it enjoyed spring-like all year round; fruits and vegetables were fresh and plentiful.  So maybe it is no wonder that Jesus only intended to pass through.  No real hope of getting His message across here! 

Zacchaeus had to know he would be laughed at and scorned even more for climbing that tree.  And yet he did it anyway.  And the result?  Sheer joy at the moment Jesus calls out to him and invites Himself to dinner.  Such joy that we witness this conversion moment where Zacchaeus promises to give away half of all he owns and repay 4 times anyone that he cheated!

Such excitement for climbing that tree!  Such joy at seeing the Savior!  Such love for giving to the poor!  He may have been short in stature but not in faith!  Zacchaeus was inviting Jesus to his home!  But in the end it is Jesus who is inviting Zacchaeus to believe!

The challenge for us?  What lengths do we go to in order to catch a glimpse of the Lord?  Do we joyfully welcome Jesus into our house, into our hearts?  Do we recognize that our faith is more precious than any possession or wealth in this life? 

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