Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time, C

            Wisdom 11:23-12:2

            Ps. 145

            II Thessalonians 1: 11-2:2

            Luke 19: 1-10

The readings connect on the love and mercy that God has for all humanity.  The First Reading from the book of Wisdom affirms that “You have mercy on all—because You can do all things—and  you overlook the sins of men, that they may repent.”  The amazing thing is that God, who creates all and sustains all in being, should condescend to his creation in such a merciful and forgiving way.  The Responsorial Psalm reaffirms this:  “The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness.  The Lord is good to all, and compassionate to all His works.”  The Gospel tells the story of Zacchaeus the tax-collector and his encounter with Jesus.  The coming of Jesus into the life of this man is described by Jesus Himself, when He says, “Today salvation has come to this house, for this is what it means to be a son of Abraham!”  The goal of Jesus’ ministry, so much of which is shown in His eating and talking with sinners, is summed up by the last line in the Gospel reading:  “The Son of Man has come to search out and save what was lost.”  Commenting on this Gospel, St. Ambrose says, “Let the rich learn that evil consists, not in having wealth, but in not putting it to good use; for just as riches are an obstacle to evil people, they are also a means of virtue for good people.”  He also makes a tongue-in-cheek comment:  “[Jesus] chooses a chief tax collector; who can despair when such a man obtains grace?” Expositio Evangelii secundum Lucam, in loco

Today’s Second Reading begins a three-week hearing of the Second Letter of Paul to the Thessalonians.

We are only four weeks away from the solemnity of Christ the King, the last Sunday of the Church Year, and the selection of this epistle indicates the church’s desire that we reflect on the last things.  Don’t be “so easily agitated or terrified,” Paul tells the Thessalonians.  Good advice for all of us.

This hymn is based on today’s Scriptures:

All that God has made is cherished,

Naught despised or cast away;

You have spared us, Lord and Lover,

Yours the spirit in our clay.

Thus Zacchaeus, though a sinner,

Heard the Christ's insistent voice;

Climbing down from tree and station,

Making love his new-found choice.

Do not fret when rumors threaten

That the Lord will soon appear:

Daily work that Christ be honored;

Living thus, we need not fear.

            87.87.

            suggested tune:  Azmon