Daily Readings - Sun Nov 03 2019

²²Though many are strong, you alone always overcome. And who will withstand the strength of your arm²³For, like a tiny grain on a scale, just so is the world before you, and like a drop of dew before dawn, which descends upon the earth²⁴But you are merciful to all, because you can do all, and you dismiss the sins of man because of repentance²⁵For you love all things that are, and you hate nothing of the things you have made; for you would not have created or established anything that you hated²⁶For how could anything endure, except by your will? Or what, having been called by you not to exist, would be preserved²⁷Yet you spare all things, because they are yours, O Lord, who loves souls

Chapter 12

¹O how good and gracious, Lord, is your spirit in all things²Therefore, those who wander afield, you correct, and, as to those who sin, you counsel them and admonish them, so that, having abandoned malice, they may believe in you, O Lord

2 Thessalonians

Chapter 1

¹¹Because of this, too, we pray always for you, so that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may complete every act of his goodness, as well as his work of faith in virtue¹²in order that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, in accord with the grace of our God and of the Lord Jesus Christ

Chapter 2

¹But we ask you, brothers, concerning the advent of our Lord Jesus Christ and of our gathering to him²that you not be readily disturbed or terrified in your minds, by any spirit, or word, or epistle, supposedly sent from us, claiming that the day of the Lord is close by

Luke

Chapter 19

¹And having entered, he walked through Jericho²And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. And he was the leader of the tax collectors, and he was wealthy³And he sought to see Jesus, to see who he was. But he was unable to do so, because of the crowd, for he was small in stature⁴And running ahead, he climbed up a sycamore tree, so that he might see him. For he was to pass near there⁵And when he had arrived at the place, Jesus looked up and saw him, and he said to him: "Zacchaeus, hurry down. For today, I should lodge in your house.⁶And hurrying, he came down, and he received him joyfully⁷And when they all saw this, they murmured, saying that he had turned aside to a sinful man⁸But Zacchaeus, standing still, said to the Lord: "Behold, Lord, one half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have cheated anyone in any matter, I will repay him fourfold.⁹Jesus said to him: "Today, salvation has come to this house; because of this, he too is a son of Abraham¹⁰For the Son of man has come to seek and to save what had been lost.

Sermon

The readings today remind us of God’s boundless mercy, His love for all creation, and the call to repentance and conversion. In the first reading from the Book of Wisdom, we are told that God, though all-powerful, is merciful and loving, sparing all things because they are His. He hates nothing He has made and offers forgiveness to those who turn from sin. This passage emphasizes God’s universal love and His desire to restore all things to Himself. The second reading from 2 Thessalonians encourages us to live virtuous lives, trusting in God’s grace and avoiding false alarms about the Lord’s return. It reminds us to remain steadfast in faith and not be swayed by fear or misinformation. The Gospel tells the story of Zacchaeus, a tax collector who, despite his wealth and status, felt a deep longing to see Jesus. His small stature and the crowds around Jesus could have been obstacles, but Zacchaeus’ determination led him to climb a tree to catch a glimpse of the Lord. Jesus, seeing his desire, calls him down and chooses to stay in his home. This act of divine initiative sparks Zacchaeus’ repentance, and he vows to give half his goods to the poor and repay fourfold those he has cheated. Jesus declares that salvation has come to Zacchaeus’ house, not because of Zacchaeus’ actions, but because he, too, is a son of Abraham—chosen by God’s grace. These readings are deeply connected. The Book of Wisdom sets the stage by describing God’s merciful nature, while 2 Thessalonians calls us to live in a way worthy of God’s calling. The Gospel then illustrates this in action through Zacchaeus’ story. Zacchaeus’ encounter with Jesus shows us that God’s mercy is always available, even to those society might deem unworthy. His repentance and generosity are not the cause of his salvation but the fruit of God’s grace. Today, we are invited to reflect on our own lives: Are we open to God’s mercy? Are we willing to let go of sin and embrace a life of love and generosity? Let us remember that salvation is not something we earn but something we receive when we open our hearts to God’s love. Like Zacchaeus, may we humbly welcome Jesus into our lives and allow His grace to transform us.