Posted by The WORD in other words (2021) by Fr Roderick Salazar SVD – Christ the King Seminary, Quezon City
Tuesday 33rd Week in Ordinary Time
Eleazar is “one of the scribes in high position, a man now advanced in age and of noble presence.” A Jew strictly following the dietary obligations required by his religion, he refused to obey a pagan king’s orders for him to eat the flesh of sacrifices offered to idols. He was killed for this disobedience, choosing to die with honor than to live in pollution.
Zaccheus, though a Jew and a rich man, is not on par in social standing with his fellow Jews. He is a publican, a tax collector, but wants to see Jesus who is passing by. He climbs a tree to get a better perspective of Jesus. A fully-grown man, in presumably luxurious robes, risks being laughed at and mocked. He not only sees Jesus, but Jesus sees him and invites Himself into his house! With Jesus as his guest, Zaccheus is converted. Salvation comes to his house, a home for Jesus for a while.
To my house, my life, my soul, I invite you to please come, dear Jesus. Make it home for You. I am a sinner, perhaps more than was Zaccheus. But I seek You. I know You see and seek me during the many times I am lost. Help me to be strong like Eleazar, unbending in my religious principles, relying on You for strength, consolation, and joy. Let me imitate Zaccheus in the zeal to see You.
As I see You in my prayer, let me see You in my brothers and sisters, love and serve them as You say I should. Thus, may I, in eternity, see You in heaven, Your Father and the Holy Spirit, Mary and Joseph, and all Your angels and saints? And my models today, Zaccheus and Eleazar.
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