Greetings on this the Tuesday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: RV 3:1-6, 14-22; PS 15:2-3A, 3BC-4AB, 5; LK 19:1-10
Notes: Zacchaeus personalizes the ‘missing the mark’ for one and the All. The careful reflection of Zacchaeus brings about the right response. Without reflection, the churches will double-down on the mistakes.
- Unpacking the first reading challenges the soul and how we act as community.
- Unpacking the gospel portion challenges the soul on how we are personally.
First reading
“‘Whoever has ears ought to hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”
Of Sardis and Laodicea.
Repent:
- Remember then how you accepted and heard; keep it, and repent.
- Those whom I love, I reprove and chastise. Be earnest, therefore, and repent.
Of:
- “I know your works, that you have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead.
- So, because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.
- For you say, ‘I am rich and affluent and have no need of anything,’ and yet do not realize that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.
How:
- Be watchful and strengthen what is left, which is going to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God.
- Remember then how you accepted and heard; keep it.
- I advise you to buy from me gold refined by fire so that you may be rich, and white garments to put on so that your shameful nakedness may not be exposed, and buy ointment to smear on your eyes so that you may see.
Eternal relation:
- The victor will thus be dressed in white, and I will never erase his name from the book of life but will acknowledge his name in the presence of my Father and of his angels.
- I will give the victor the right to sit with me on my throne, as I myself first won the victory and sit with my Father on his throne.
Responsorial Psalm
I will seat the victor beside me on my throne.
Alleluia Verse
God loved us, and sent his Son as expiation for our sins.
Gospel Portion
Whoever has ears ought to hear what the Spirit says to Zacchaeus.
Repent:
Jesus looked up and said, “Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house.”
Of:
Behold. Half and Four.
How:
But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone I shall repay it four times over.”
Eternal relation:
And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house because this man too is a descendant of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost.”
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry
Deacon Gerry Palermo 