Daily Readings - Sun Nov 03 2019
2 Thessalonians
11Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:12That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Luke
1And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.2And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.3And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.4And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.5And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.6And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.7And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.8And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.9And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.10For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was 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.