31st Sun. Ord. Time (C )
St. Athanasius and St. Francis Parishes
October 29, 30, 2016
It is not often that we hear a Scripture from the Book of Sirach at a weekend liturgy, and this one is really special.
After making very clear the tremendous greatness of God ….
“before the Lord even the entire universe is nothing more than a single grain
fallen from a balance (scale), or a drop of morning dew …
we are then told how considerate and wonderful this very same God is on our behalf …
“God has mercy on all, just because he can do it …
“and that God loves all things because he would never have made anything in the
first place, if he did not love it.”
Regarding mercy for our sins, God reminds us little by little and even warns us so that we might repent, and God's kindness is extended to us for the same reason. God loves all things and hates nothing.
Nothing would be and nothing happens anywhere in the universe unless God willed it.
These are amazing words to hear as we look to bringing this Year of Mercy to an end soon. It will end near the end of November on the Feast of Christ the King.
Forgiveness and mercy are extremely important qualities and gifts … whether from God on our behalf, or when we see forgiveness and mercy extended among people here on earth. Early this month, October 2, (our Feast of the Guardian Angels) it was 10 years since the terrible murder of the 5 Amish children at the West Nickel Mines School in southern Pennsylvania. A video on forgiveness was created following that terrible tragedy: it has segments on the ability of Amish people to extend mercy and forgive. You may remember how the Amish went to the home of the shooter to express mercy and forgiveness to his parents and family. They also went to the funeral of the man who shot their children. If you remember, he committed suicide after shooting the children.
Actually, since being here in Jesup, I think I have heard one or so of you tell of a young Amish boy who was struck by a milk truck' while walking along the road, and how the young boy's family went to the farm of the driver to express mercy and forgiveness, and they still welcome the same driver to their farm every day to pick up their milk. How does this happen? What indeed is the make-up of Amish people? They seem to be more like God than normal human beings in their capacity to extend mercy.
We have a great example of mercy in today's gospel. Zaccheus was a tax-collector and from last weekend's homily you recall how unliked tax-collectors in the time of Jesus were. And probably justly so. Often they overcharged and garnered the extra for themselves. So Jesus says clearly to Zaccheus: “Come down ...I MUST come to your house today.” What a merciful act, and Zaccheus, having received from Jesus this mercy, extends great hospitality to Jesus with a wonderful meal at his own house. In addition, Zaccheus promises to give half of his possessions to the poor, and to those he has indeed extorted, he promises to give four times the extorted amount in restitution. In the end, a rather remarkable man. Not many like him are found today!
Have I ever received such mercy?
For what do I seek mercy?
Where do I need to extend mercy?
How do I make restitution?
How do I show hospitality to Jesus … what about through the Corporal and the Spiritual works of mercy?