Yesterday, I was shocked to learn that a week from Thursday is Thanksgiving Day! One clue that we are well into November is the readings for the Mass. Once you get to the Book of Revelation it’s a sure sign we’re heading toward the end of Ordinary Time.
A Wake-Up Call
Today’s first reading has the feeling of a Saint Paul letter, but it is John who sends a wakeup call to the churches in Sardis and Laodicea…and as it applies…to each one of us.
As I said it’s a wakeup call. To the people of Sardis, John says, “I know your works, that you have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead.”
And, to the people of Laodicea, “I know your works, I know that you are neither cold nor hot.” “For you say, ‘I am rich and affluent and have no need of anything,’ and yet you do not know that you are wretched, poor, blind, and naked.”
Those are strong words, but this message also contains a remedy within it. John calls us to remember the teachings of God that we have heard and accepted. He calls us to repent as we need to and to be watchful.
Being Watchful and Pursuing Christ
Being watchful is often spoken of during this end of Ordinary Time and of course during Advent. And, to that end, we hear a beautiful and hopeful ending to our first reading, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, then I will enter his house and dine with him and him with me.”
On the other hand, in today’s Gospel, Zacheus is the one seeking Jesus. And he won’t let anything get in the way. I can still remember a seminarian friend, now, Fr. Jeff preaching about this gospel and saying he and Zacheus must have been about the same height, so he understood what it must have been like…
However, it doesn’t matter whether you are 5’6 or 6’6, we all need to rise above the obstacles that prevent us from seeing Jesus. And, when we do, Jesus calls to us, each in a way that we can understand, that he wants to stay in our homes.
Christ in Our Hearts and Homes
And, when we welcome Jesus into our hearts and our homes, it is then that he can transform our lives. Zacheus not only made restitution times four to those he had extorted but he also gave generously to the poor.
Jesus in response, says that “Today salvation has come to this house because this man too is descendent of Abraham.” “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost.”
My brothers and sisters, let us be listening and watching, let us rise above any obstacles, and let us take Jesus up on his invitation to stay in our hearts and our homes.
- Father David's inspirational homily was recorded live during Mass at the Father Peyton Center this morning. You can view the Mass (and the Rosary at the 30-minute mark) on the Family Rosary YouTube page.
- To join the Rosary and Mass Livestream, visit the Family Rosary YouTube or Facebook page at 11:30 a.m. Eastern, Monday – Friday. Consider inviting others to join too! (*If you are not a member of Facebook and a signup window appears, simply select the X at the top of the pop-up message and continue to the livestream.)
