Daily Readings - Tue Nov 18 2025
Luke
1Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through.2A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy.3He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd.4So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.5When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today."6So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.7All the people saw this and began to mutter, "He has gone to be the guest of a 'sinner.'"8But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount."9Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham.10For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what 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.