Posted by Word Alive — Fr. Bel San Luis, SVD October 30, 2022 / Prison Awareness Sunday
31th Sunday in Ordinary Time / C
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
When I was assigned in Divine Word College of Legazpi, I couldn’t forget the candid testimony of an accountant-friend who said, “Father, in my profession I can’t help doing wrong. For instance, when the manager tells me to lower the company’s profit in order to cut paying taxes, I couldn’t say no. I’m only human.
“So, like in accounting, I balance my offences by making up through almsgiving, extra prayers and penances. Something like ‘debit-credit…” “Equals kupit?” I cut in jokingly. “No, Fr.” he replied. It’s, “debit minus credit equals zero-zero balance.”
He meant to make a “0-0 balance” of his failings and wrongdoings through penance and good works.
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The above story illustrates what Zaccheus in this Sunday’s gospel exemplified the act of feeling sorry, making reparation and of God’s ready forgiveness (read Lk 19,1-10). It was common knowledge that tax collectors during Jesus’ time (and now too?) enriched themselves through kickbacks from the assessments. Obviously, not all tax collectors are dishonest.
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When Christ came to Zaccheus’ house, he felt very uneasy and embarrassed over his “ill-gotten wealth.” But, humbly, he confessed: “Lord, I give one-half of my belongings to the poor; and if I defrauded anyone, I pay him four times.” Moved by his repentance, Jesus replied: “Salvation has come to this house today.”
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We’ve been so hounded by remorse of past wrongdoings not only of giving or accepting bribes, committing murder or abortion, sowing fake news, maintaining illicit relations and so on that we feel remorse of conscience.
Joel Escorial, the self-confessed killer of Percival “Percy” Lapid Mabasa, is one who surrendered to the authorities due to a troubled conscience.
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We are all Zaccheus because of our sins and human frailties. Jesus wants to enter into our lives so we, too, can experience God’s peace and salvation. But he cannot force himself on us. We must be open to his invitation like what Zaccheus did. The question is: Do you want to accept Him? The answer is in you.
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Tomorrow is PRISON AWARENESS SUNDAY. Fr. Anthony Ranada, SVD, former chaplain of Quezon City jail in Kamuning, told me repeatedly how most of our jails in Metro Manila are cramped and congested–a problem which spawns riots, gang wars, and epidemics.
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For instance, Quezon City Jail can accommodate only 700 inmates but presently there are 3,400 or even more! To think that majority of those behind bars are still undergoing litigation. This, too, is the woeful condition of many of our jails all over the country. CALLING LOCAL GOVERNMENT LEADERS TO ACT ON THIS FESTERING PROBLEM.
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In Jesus’ parable of the Last Judgment (Matthew 25, 31 ff.), one of the works of mercy the Lord will ask as a requirement for entering the Kingdom of God is visiting prisoners (“When I was in prison, you visited Me”). “Visiting” does not mean only paying a quick stay but also giving some necessities like food or providing religious instructions as some interfaith organizations and NGOs do.
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THE LIGHTER SIDE. A newly appointed chaplain of a prison accompanied a convict to the electric chair. What will he say to console a man about to die? “Goodbye?” “Take care?” “See you later?”
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The young priest was at a loss. Finally, as the convict got to the electric chair, the priest more nervous now patted him on the shoulder and blurted out: “More power to you!” (Poor chaplain, he meant well but his words could also mean “more electric power”!).
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