31st Sunday of Ordinary Time (Year C) - 30 October
30th October 2022
31st Sunday of Ordinary Time (Year C) - 30 October
“A good man is not a perfect man; a good man is an honest man, faithful and unhesitatingly responsive to the voice of God in his life.” - St John Fisher, Bishop & Martyr
A short reflection on today's Gospel reading by the Venerable Archbishop Fulton J Sheen:
"[Zacchaeus’] particular official title was publican. A publican worked for the Income Tax Bureau of the Roman government in Judea. He was a despised citizen, not just because he was an income tax collector, but because he was also a traitor. Zacchaeus deserted his own people to serve the conquerors of his native land.
"Zacchaeus…was tremendously concerned with ‘kick-backs.’ He would collect in our money, say $500,000 from a given area, give $100,000 of that to the foreign conquerors, and pocket the rest himself. Reputation is what men say about us, character is what a man is. No one spoke kindly about this ‘crook,’ but at heart he seemed to have very good instincts. The story of his transformation is familiar. One day when Our Divine Saviour came to his native town of Jericho, Zacchaeus tried to see Him. Being a ‘shorty’ he could not look over the heads of the crowd, so he climbed into a sycamore tree. One cannot imagine the Director of the Tax Bureau of any great city climbing a tree to see a parade or to catch a glimpse of a visitor but apparently Zacchaeus was more humble. When a man begins looking for God, he will soon discover that God is looking for him.
"The Good Lord looked up and called him by name, and then said: ‘Make haste and come down; I am to lodge today in your house.’ The artificial elevation where our pride has thrust us, or the false compensations we make by climbing trees of egotism must all be negated. Of all people in that wicked city, the one home to which the Saviour chose to invite Himself was that of a despised public official. When the crowd saw the majestic figure of Christ and the tiny tax collector walking side by side into Zacchaeus’ house, so well furnished by raiding the treasuries, they said sneeringly: ‘He has gone in to lodge with one who is a sinner.’ It is not likely that the mob would ever say that today, because few admit they are sinners. What they would probably say is: ‘He has gone to the home of that racketeer who was mentioned by the columnists and is about to be convicted by the Grand Jury.’
"As they converse in secrecy, something happens to the soul of the tax official. Up to this point Zacchaeus was concerned only with whether what he did was ‘legal’ – ‘legal’ meaning anything is justifiable providing you do not get caught; if you are convicted it means that you violated the law, not that you did what was morally wrong. Zacchaeus shifted his mind from ‘legality’ to ‘morality,’ from ‘being caught’ to ‘doing wrong,’ from ‘convention’ to ‘conscience.’ Where there is wrong there has to be restitution; injustice disturbs the equilibrium of the due order that ought to prevail in society. Giving back the stolen goods restores the balance. Zacchaeus is now ready to make reparation. ‘Here and now, Lord, I give half of what I have to the poor; and if I have wronged anyone in any way, I make restitution of it fourfold.’
"Shame is not enough! Remorse is not enough! There must also be restitution.
"Many other crimes are cancelled out by mere sorrow and repentance, but the guilt of robbery, even when dignified with the name of ‘kickbacks’ or ‘legality’ remains, so long as we retain the fruits of it in our own hands. Those who make such restitutions rightly call it ‘conscience money.’ A public official who serves ten years in prison for his dishonesty, but all the while keeps the spoils, has not made reparation for his crime either before his country or before his God.
"The point of the parable is that honesty in business, honesty among labour unions, honesty in public officials must be based not on ‘legality’ or what they can get away with, but on conscience, that is, giving to every man his due; not because I cannot live away from prison if I am dishonest, but because I cannot live with myself, and I cannot live with myself because I am not living right before my God." (Thoughts for Daily Living)
Prayer for Honesty
Jesus, Prince of all Heavenly truths, Your Words are carved for eternity! You have commanded the virtue of honesty, it is the power against all deceptions. Direct Your Spirit of honesty upon me, that my soul may always remain stainless. Guide my daily thoughts, words and actions, to join those living by the Spirit of truth. For honesty yields harmony and loyalty, Enriching all human relationships. By the power of Your Spirit that flourishes, Honesty will prevail in this world! Amen. 💖🙏💐