Hymns for Mass – Press Here

FIRST READING (You have mercy on all because you love all things that are.)

A reading from the Book of Wisdom (11:22-12:2)

Before the Lord the whole universe is as a grain on a balance or a drop of morning dew come down upon the earth. But you have mercy on all, because you can do all things; and you overlook people’s sins that they may repent. For you love all things that are and loathe nothing that you have made; for what you hated, you would not have fashioned. And how could a thing remain, unless you willed it; or be preserved, had it not been called forth by you? But you spare all things, because they are yours, O Lord and lover of souls, for your imperishable spirit is in all things! Therefore you rebuke offenders little by little, warn them and remind them of the sins they are committing, that they may abandon their wickedness and believe in you, O Lord! —The Word of the Lord.

1. Thanks be to God.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM (145:1-2, 8-9, 10-11, 13, 14)

1. I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God. (Cf. Ps 145:1)

I will extol you, O my God and King, and I will bless your name forever and ever. Every day will I bless you, and I will praise your name forever and ever. (R)

The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness. The Lord is good to all and compassionate toward all his works. (R)

Let all your works give you thanks, O Lord, and let your faithful ones bless you. Let them discourse of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might. (R)

The Lord is faithful in all his words and holy in all his works. The Lord lifts up all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down. (R)

SECOND READING (May the name of Christ be glorified in you and you in him.)

A reading from the second Letter of Saint Paul to the Thessalonians (1:11-2:2)

Brothers and sisters: We always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and powerfully bring to fulfillment every good purpose and every effort of faith, that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, in accord with the grace of our God and Lord Jesus Christ.

We ask you, brothers and sisters, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our assembling with him, not to be shaken out of your minds suddenly, or to be alarmed either by a “spirit”, or by an oral statement, or by a letter allegedly from us to the effect that the day of the Lord is at hand. —The Word of the Lord.

1. Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (Jn 3:16)

1. Alleluia, alleluia.

God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might have eternal life. (R)

GOSPEL (The Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost.)

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (19:1-10)

At that time, Jesus came to Jericho and intended to pass through the town. 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 Jesus because of the crowd, for he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus, who was about to pass that way. When he reached the place, Jesus looked up and said, “Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house.” And he came down quickly and received Jesus with joy. When they all saw this, they began to grumble, saying, “He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner.” 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.” 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.” —The Gospel of the Lord.

1. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Homily

Genuine hospitality is a social art. It might also be characterized as an intricate dance. Everyone involved must know the steps, but they also have to be able to feel the rhythm of the others. They have to know when to move forward, how far to go; they also have to know when to step back, and to what extent. And they have to know how fast or slow to move. The hospitable host generously offers the warmth and comfort of a home; the grateful guest jumbly accepts the offer. If either acts with too much speed or too slowly, they could end up stepping on each other’s toes. Being invited to someone’s home is also a sign of one’s standing in the community. After all, we don’t all get invitations to a state dinner or home of a wealthy and celebrity or dignitary!

The Gospel today offers us a tale of re-defining the protocol of ancient hospitality. Whether he was an honest man or not, the tax-collector, Zacchaeus, earned his living by working for “the enemy” – the Roman occupiers. Tax collectors did not receive a salary, but they added their own living expenses to the tax levied by the Romans to make ends meet. In the story we are told that he was “wealthy.” This could mean that he must have prospered at the expense of others. So, it is easy to see why his occupation made him unacceptable in the eyes of many. No self-respecting Jew would think of being a guest in the home of such a notable sinner. But this does not bother Jesus. In fact, he disregards the protocol of hospitality and invites himself to Zacchaeus’ home.

Here, then, Jesus is leading the dance, and he is changing the steps as he goes along!

The story has many delightful twists. We have a man of significant social and economic stature, who is also slight in physical stature. When he hears that Jesus is passing, he puts aside all decorum and, like a child, climbs into a tree so that he can get a better view. But the twist is that Jesus also sees him! Zacchaeus knows that Jesus is more than a guest, for he promises him that he would make amends for any dishonesty in the past. In fact, he goes to the extreme on this. So, on one level this is a story about hospitality, and therefore Zacchaeus should lead in the dance. But a closer look shows that this is really an offer of salvation, and therefore the initiative is always God’s. So, Jesus offers salvation; Zacchaeus then offers hospitality; Jesus accepts hospitality; and Zacchaeus accepts salvation.

God’s willingness to reach out to the sinner is also seen in the first reading from Wisdom. The author initially maintains that the immensity of the entire universe is miniscule when compared with the magnificence of the Creator. Nonetheless, it is this Creator who shows mercy toward sinners. Why does God show mercy? “For you love all things that are and loathe nothing that you have made; for what you hated, you would not have fashioned.” God loves all creation because HE made it. Likewise, one might say that God made all creation because God loves it. The author of Wisdom then moves from natural creation of the world to us – to we who are created in God’s image – we are the “souls” God loves. This LOVE is not that of passion or friendship but a LOVE of wholehearted commitment – AGAPE. This is the COVENANT that is marked by graciousness, mercy and compassion – as described in our psalm today. And these are the qualities or sentiments that prompt God to call all of us to salvation and invite us to make ourselves at home with him there.

Our Gospel begins as a story of hospitality, but it soon becomes clear that the hospitality presented to us for our consideration is divine, not human. It consists of the grace of salvation, not the comforts of physical satisfaction. The passage from our 2nd reading offers another reflection on salvation. Like Jesus before him, St. Paul is concerned with the spiritual well-being of others. He has preached the message of salvation to them. He now prays that it will take root in their minds and hearts. He prays that they will be steadfast in their commitment, even if the fulfillment of their hopes does not appear on the horizon. Paul is aware from experience that the first excitement of conversion can soon wear thin. But Paul was convinced that the openness to hospitality of God endures forever.

In the ancient world, the protocol of hospitality was practiced by all peoples. Today, even in the midst of such strong cultures around us, we see the ascendency of individualism. This sad occurrence conditions us to feeling less responsible for others around us. Consequently, Christian hospitality is something counter-cultural, and something we should practice and cherish. It is an attitude of mind and heart to which we are all called. We must remember that God is the Creator and lover of each and every soul. Jesus gives us an example of divine openness to each person around us, no matter their background, social status, or political stance. He reaches out to all – even those considered by society as unworthy. Shouldn’t we also?

Prayers

Celebrant: In the meeting between our Lord and Zacchaeus, we see that true mercy is the most profound source of justice. We pray as sinners, on behalf of sinners, but these prayers express our confident trust in divine mercy.

READER: That the holy Catholic Church may continue to welcome those who seek forgiveness and inner peace, (Pause) LET US PRAY TO THE LORD.

READER: That those who are able may continue to be generous and just to those in need around us, (Pause) LET US PRAY TO THE LORD

READER: That salvation and reconciliation may come to the homes of those who have strayed from God, so that – like Zacchaeus – they be given the grace and desire to see who Jesus is, and to experience His salvation, (Pause) LET US PRAY TO THE LORD.

READER: That we may respond like Zacchaeus to the invitation of the Lord in whatever circumstance it comes to us and hasten to welcome Jesus into our homes and our hearts, (Pause) LET US PRAY TO THE LORD.

READER: In thanksgiving for all missionaries who have served and continue to serve our community, that their example may continue to inspire our faith and commitment, (Pause) LET US PRAY TO THE LORD.

Celebrant: Lord, you love all things that exist; you reveal your mercy and compassion to us. Accept the prayers of your penitent people, raised up[ by our Redeemer, who lives and reigns, for ever and ever. AMEN.