Luke 19:1-10

Revelation 3:1-6, 14-22

Psalm 15:2-3a, 3bc-4ab, 5

Luke 19:1-10

At that time Jesus came to Jericho and intended to pass through the town.

Now a man there named Zacchaeus,

who was a chief tax collector and also a wealthy man, 

was seeking to see who Jesus was;

but he could not see him because of the crowd,

for he was short in stature. 

So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus,

who was about to pass that way.

When he reached the place, Jesus looked up and said, 

“Zacchaeus, come down quickly,

for today I must stay at your house.” 

And he came down quickly and received him with joy. 

When they saw this, they began to grumble, saying, 

“He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner.” 

But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord,

“Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor,

and if I have extorted anything from anyone

I shall repay it four times over.”

And Jesus said to him,

“Today salvation has come to this house

because this man too is a descendant of Abraham. 

For the Son of Man has come to seek

and to save what was lost.”

Opening Prayer: Lord God, you sent your Son to seek me out and save me. I was lost but have been found! Help me to be detached from the things of this passing world and store up true treasure with you in heaven.

Encountering the Word of God

1. The Conversion of Zacchaeus: Luke records two events in Jericho before Jesus’ final ascent to Jerusalem. Yesterday, we read the story of Jesus curing the poor blind man. Today, we hear about the conversion of a rich man named Zacchaeus. Both the poor man and the rich man had to overcome obstacles. The crowd and even Jesus’ disciples kept the poor man from Jesus. Zacchaeus was hindered by his short stature. The poor man overcame the crowds by calling out to Jesus even louder. Zacchaeus overcame his obstacle by climbing a Sycamore tree. What both stories teach us is how much God can do with the little we are capable of and can offer. How can I call out to Jesus in prayer so that he hears me? How can I climb the sycamore tree so that I see Jesus and Jesus sees me?

2. The Letter to the Church in Sardis: Yesterday, we read the first of seven letters sent to the churches of Asia Minor. Today, we read the fifth letter written to Sardis and the seventh letter written to Laodicea. Each of the seven letters is a powerful exhortation to faith and a call to repent from evil and corruption. On the one hand, the Letter to Sardis praises the few who continue to walk with the Lord, who are dressed in white, and who are deemed worthy. We will learn later on that the garments of the saints are white because they have been washed in and purified by the blood of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God. On the other hand, the Church in Sardis is asked to repent from incomplete and dead works. Jesus exhorts them to be watchful, to remember what they have received, and to finish their good works. To those who heed this and who are faithful, Jesus will clothe them in white garments, their names will never be blotted from the Book of Life, and Jesus will present them to God the Father.

3. The Letter to the Church in Laodicea: The seventh letter, written to the Church in Laodicea, does not contain any words of praise. The city of Laodicea was located between Colossae, which had cold water from the mountains, and Hierapolis, which had hot mineral springs. Therefore, the water in Laodicea was neither cold nor hot but lukewarm. God points out that the Church in Laodicea was poor, naked, and blind. Jesus offers purified gold to alleviate their spiritual poverty, white garments to cover the nakedness of their idolatry, and ointment to cure their spiritual blindness. Symbolically, the letter written to Laodicea represents the age of the Pharisees. They thought they were rich, but they were poor. They thought they were robed in righteousness, but they were naked. They thought they saw clearly, but they were spiritually blind. Will they accept what Jesus offers?

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, show me where I have been victorious and where I have fallen. Move me to gratitude for my victories and to contrition for my sins. Fill me with divine hope in your promises and in your grace to help me attain what you have promised.

Living the Word of God: In a sense, the seven letters of Revelation (2:1-3:22) have a perennial value and are directed to every church community throughout the centuries. Like the Church in Ephesus, we need to renew our love for God. Like the Church in Smyrna, we need to be faithful in times of persecution. Like the Church in Pergamum, we need to repent from sin. Like the Church in Thyatira, we need to hold fast until Jesus returns. Like the Church in Sardis, we need to bring our good works to completion. Like the Church in Philadelphia, we need to patiently endure persecution. And, like the Church in Laodicea, we need to open the door to Christ, who will heal us and dine with us. Can I take some time this week to read all seven letters and see what Jesus is asking of me? Which letter speaks to me the most?