Tuesday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time

Luke 19: 1-10
For a heart like Jesus’

Today’s Gospel leads us to the heart of Jesus’s mission: reaching those on the margins. As Jesus nears Jerusalem, He stops in Jericho, encountering Zacchaeus, a tax collector shunned by his community. Despite his wealth, Zacchaeus yearns for something more and, pushing past societal barriers, climbs a tree to see Jesus. Christ’s response is unexpected and radical: He invites Himself into Zacchaeus’s home, disregarding the judgment of onlookers who call Zacchaeus a sinner. Through His simple presence, Jesus offers acceptance, and this acceptance transforms Zacchaeus’s heart.

This passage teaches us that every person, no matter their background or mistakes, is beloved by God. We are called to look at others as Jesus did, seeing their potential for transformation rather than their past or limitations. Our task as Catholics is to break down barriers that exclude and to build bridges of compassion and understanding.

Zacchaeus’s story also invites us to open our hearts, allowing Jesus to dwell within. True faith calls us to step beyond comfort and societal norms to go deeper in our love for God and our neighbour. Like Zacchaeus, we can examine our lives and ask: What am I holding back? How can I live in a way that benefits others?

Jesus’s welcome of Zacchaeus reminds us that salvation is a daily, communal journey. We’re called to foster communities of inclusion and hope where every person finds dignity and belonging. By following Jesus’s example—living justly, embracing compassion, and loving courageously—we bring the Gospel to life. This week, let us pray for a heart like Christ’s, open and ready to welcome, and for the courage to live as beacons of His love in our world.

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Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica 2024