Daily Readings - Tue Nov 18 2025
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 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.