3 Nov 2019. 31st Sunday OT. Cycle C-2019. Lk 19:1-10.

Now a man there named Zacchaeus, who was a chief tax collector and also a wealthy man, was seeking to see who Jesus was; but he could not see him because of the crowd, for he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus… (Lk 19:3-4).

Shortie climbs a sycamore tree. On top of his seek-a-more perch, he seeks more of what he was short of, and was ready to give out the wealth he had much of. He said, “Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone, I shall repay if four times over.” Jesus approvingly said, “Today, salvation has come to this house…” (Mt 19:8-9).

It is agonizing to decide what to give to one you think is short of nothing. On the other hand, one who has so much knows what he is short of. Does he want more of what he already has? Does he want joy in possessing this? Does he long for peace in living with this? Ultimately, he finds out he cannot have wealth, and live peacefuly with it. He cannot have the pleasure of possession together with the joy of satisfaction.

One who is short in everything climbs a seek-a-more tree, envying those he thinks are up there enjoying things he cannot find down here. VSS

Picture: Photo by Matheus Bertelli on Pexels.com