Daily Readings - Tue Nov 18 2025
Luke
1He entered Jericho and was passing through.2And there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich.3And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small of stature.4So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way.5And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today."6So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully.7And when they saw it, they all grumbled, "He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner."8And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold."9And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham.10For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost."
Sermon
The first reading from 2 Maccabees tells the story of Eleazar, a devout Jewish scribe who refused to compromise his faith even in the face of death. When ordered to eat pork, which was forbidden by Jewish law, Eleazar chose to endure brutal torture rather than betray his beliefs. His courage and integrity inspired others, especially the young, to remain faithful to God’s laws. Eleazar’s example reminds us that true faith requires us to stand firm, even when it is difficult or costly. His willingness to suffer rather than abandon his principles is a powerful testament to the importance of living a life of integrity and conviction.
The Gospel reading from Luke presents a very different kind of heroism in the story of Zacchaeus, a wealthy tax collector who was shunned by society because of his profession. Despite his sinfulness, Zacchaeus sought Jesus out, climbing a tree to catch a glimpse of him. When Jesus invited himself to Zacchaeus’s home, the tax collector responded with repentance and generosity, promising to give half of his possessions to the poor and to make amends for any wrongdoing. Jesus’ response, “Today salvation has come to this house,” highlights the transformative power of encountering God. Zacchaeus’s story teaches us that no one is beyond the reach of God’s mercy and that true conversion leads to a change of heart and actions.
Both readings remind us that living a life of faith requires both courage and humility. Eleazar’s unwavering commitment to his beliefs and Zacchaeus’s willingness to change his ways show us that faith is not just about what we believe but how we live. In our daily lives, we are called to stand firm in our convictions, even when it is challenging, and to be open to conversion, allowing God to transform our hearts and actions. Let us strive to live with the integrity of Eleazar and the humility of Zacchaeus, trusting that God’s grace will guide us on our journey of faith.