October 31, 2004: Today Salvation Has Come

The Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time



I think most people would agree that we live in a world dominated by the mass media. We have become very conditioned to think in terms of perfection. We see a TV character or a performer or a pro athlete, and even though a lot of what we see is just an image or pure entertainment — and of course, we know that — we somehow convince ourselves that what we see is reality — and not just reality, but the ideal we should strive for in our own life.

So we start to think: I have to have hair like this model… a voice like that singer… a personality like that actor… I have to be tall and slender and be well-muscled and perfectly proportioned. And of course I have to be wealthy like the rich and famous.

But then I look in the mirror. Big sigh… Where are my six-pack abs? I guess they’re hidden under my spare tire or beer gut. Perfect hair and teeth? Not quite. Rich and famous? Not according to my bank book.

Compared to my fantasy —reinforced by TV and the movies — I don’t stack up too well at all. How depressing!

Lots of us carry around still heavier emotional baggage because we don’t fit the perfect mold we imagine. Maybe my self-esteem is battered because I can’t get good grades in school or I’m athletically hopeless… because my parents or my wife or my boyfriend is always telling me how stupid I am — or even hits me… because I’m a divorced single mother and nothing ever comes easy… because I’m gay and I’m scared to death to tell anyone and I’m so lonely and depressed I wish sometimes I could just end it all… because I’m trying desperately to hold things together even though I’m hooked on pills or alcohol or gambling or sex or food and I can’t quit and my world may collapse around me at any moment… because I’m chronically ill and I’m sick to death of being sick…

Zacchaeus, the fellow in today’s Gospel, could easily have fit into some of these categories. People hated him, because he was a tax collector and a cheat — a traitor to his own people. Physically, he was a short, dumpy little guy who probably took a lot of ribbing for his small size. I wouldn’t be surprised if he had a pretty miserable personality, too.

Happily for him, one day Zacchaeus got to meet Jesus and his life was turned around. His size and shape didn’t change, but his heart did. That’s why Jesus said, “Today salvation has come to this house.”

In our own self-pity, it’s often easy to forget the wonderful, incredible, truly joyful message that God has for us. I love the words from our first reading today, from the Book of Wisdom, addressed to our Heavenly Father:

“For you love all things that are and loathe nothing that you have made; for what you hated, you would not have fashioned.”

In other words — God, who is all-good, all-perfect, all-loving — made me. He wanted me to be what I am. He loves me profoundly and eternally — as I am.

God loves me even if I’m handicapped or have a debilitating disease?… even if I think I’m a failure in looks, or brains, or talent?... even if I’ve lived a sinful life? Yes, He does. Yes, yes, yes.

The Gospels tell us plainly that each of us has to pick up our cross and carry it. You have one kind of cross; I have another. God in His wisdom sees to it that none of His children has a cross heavier than he can bear.

Not only that, but God is also right there to help us and guide us. He reassures us that the trials of this life can be our stepping stones to the eternal joys of heaven. He will teach us not only how to cope with our personal cross but how to embrace it lovingly, take advantage of it, and see it for the gift that it is!

Do you feel that you can only “look from afar” at the Lord because of what you’ve done in the past? Jesus says to you, “Come. I won’t hurt you. The more lost you feel, the more I love you. Take the risk. Come to me.”

Did you ever think that being an addict or disabled or gay or a criminal could actually be a gift and blessing from God? Well, it certainly is once you know you’ve got God’s grace on your side.

To tap into the Lord’s power, you have to accept your cross with faith, trusting and hoping in God’s loving mercy. If your faith is weak or shaky, pray for more — “Lord, I believe… help my unbelief!” (Mark 9, 24). That’s what Our Lord means when He says, “Take My yoke upon you… for my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Mt. 11, 29–30).

Call on your heavenly friends to help, too: the saints, the angels, and especially your own dear Guardian Angel.

Grow in grace, especially in sacramental grace, by frequenting the sacraments — most importantly, Confession and Holy Communion.

Deepen your devotional life: join a prayer group… come to the daily Rosary… do some spiritual reading… pop into church and spend some quiet time before the Blessed Sacrament, especially during this Year of the Eucharist.

And of course, make a valiant effort to give up your sins and turn your life around. The Wisdom writer reminds us that God is ever so patient with us: “You rebuke offenders little by little, warn them and remind them of the sins they are committing, that they may abandon their wickedness and believe in you, O Lord.”

Forget about the past. It’s over and done. Decide here and now that you want to make a new beginning. In Christ, you’re like a newborn baby. Can a newborn walk? Can he feed himself? Can he sing or read or speak? No, not yet. But someday he will.

It takes time to grow. But is the parent in the delivery room ashamed of the baby? Is the mom embarrassed that the infant can’t spell… that the baby can’t walk… that the newborn can’t give a speech?

Of course not. The parents aren’t ashamed; they are proud. They know that growth will come with time. And so does God.

Rejoice, dear children in the Lord. Just like Zacchaeus, rejoice in God’s love and strength that are easily within your reach… starting this very day.

God bless you!



Today’s Readings:
Wisdom 11, 22 – 12, 2
Psalm 145
2 Thessalonians 1, 11 – 2, 2
Luke 19, 1–10