Unchanging attitude of God toward the sinner

Zacchaeus in today’s Gospel is no different than today’s government officials – tax-collectors, lawmakers, military brass, policemen, cabinet men, even judges – who have grown filthy rich in their positions of influence. Those in society who have tried to earn every centavo honestly by the sweat of their brows, who are striving to live a decent life even if they are underpaid victims of capitalist employers who themselves are thieves. For according to our Christian catechetics, to withhold payment to whom this is due and unjustly hoard the money that should in all justice belong to their employees, is theft.

Unending squabbles in Congress and other government deliberations are due to these present day Zacchaeuses in the sense that like the chief tax-collector of Jericho in the Gospel who have been extorting money and have become wealthy with a reputation in the country as corrupt sinners. we become so fed up with these bickerings, these throwing accusations at each other, of one having been involved in this or that scam or plunder or subtle theft of government or people’s money transferred to one’s personal account. What would be the end of all this and when? It is hard to answer this question, so we might say there would be no end of it. Unless, something happens like what happened with Zacchaeus’ encounter with Jesus. But such an encounter could hardly be unless culprits own their corruption and return the hidden wealth which is not really theirs but the country’s and its people who pay their taxes. But this would require grace from heaven which can be had only if the demands of remission of such sins are met; and this is not easy for the rich man who has amassed so easily and in so quick a time to give up the wealth he has by corruption.

So, when Jesus came around to his place, the townspeople were surprised to see Zacchaeus edging against the crowd who followed Jesus, and, since he was short of stature, he climbed thesycamore tree just to see Jesus. Jesus looked up and said to him: "Zacchaeus, come down quickly for today I must stay at your house" (Lk 19:5). And according to Luke, Zacchaeus received Him with joy. Here, we are given a depiction of the supreme role of Jesus as Savior. It reveals how the Father’s salvation of his people in Jesus Christ, His Son. We can call to mind Christ’s own parable of the prodigal who finds his father ready to receive him. The first step toward salvation is taken when the son becomes aware of the disorder of his own existence. So long as there is that awareness of sin, there is no total depravity, for such awareness not being itself sin, but a turning from it. Even before the son came to himself, the father was already awaiting and desiring his return; seeing him at a distance, he is already on his way to bring him home. This parable stresses the unchanging character of God’s attitude and work, which is always one of reconciliation.

The story of Zacchaeus brings to light in a signal way "the mystery hidden in ages and generations" (Col 1:26). Jesus Christ dining with a sinner? Thus the righteous questioned. But this is the high-mark of God’s saving work. No historical event changes God’s attitude, or makes Him from a wrathful God into a gracious God. Such thoughts are utterly to be rejected. God remains eternal Goodness and Mercy. Any sinner can own his sins to God as Zacchaeus did to Jesus: "Behold, half off my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone I shall repay if four times over" (Lk 19:8). This turning about is the example which is now the greatest, most difficult challenge to our controversial figure accused or convicted of corruption in office or an crime against the people of the Philippines. This challenge met might be the hope that our country can still rise from the mire. It is the hope that Jesus Christ can say of us, "Today salvation has come to this house... for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost" (Lk 19:9-10).

Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time, Luke 19:1-10.