(Optional Memorial Saint Albert, Bishop and Doctor of the Church)
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| “Tax Collector” by Marinus van Reymerswaele, 1542 |
Commentary:
Reading 1: Revelation 3:1-6, 14-22
Commentary on Rv 3:1-6, 14-22
St. John addresses his vision to two more of the seven churches of Asia (the Asian Province of Rome), Sardis[4] and Laodicea[5]. In the case of Sardis, he reprimands them for backsliding. Apparently the community had been reduced in numbers to a point where it is in danger of disappearing. The evangelist tells them that the few that remained faithful would be rewarded for their steadfastness.
At Laodicea the Apostle criticized them for lack of zeal for the faith. He says: “I know that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either cold or hot.” He bases this observation upon their works, indicating that while they profess Christ Jesus, their actions are not reflecting that conviction.
CCC: Rv 3:14 1065
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 15:2-3a, 3bc-4ab, 5
R. (Rev. 3: 21) I will seat the victor beside me on my throne.
Commentary on Ps 15:2-3a, 3bc-4ab, 5
Psalm 15 is a Jewish form of examination of conscience. These verses record the response of the Temple representative when asked what virtues are appropriate in the eyes of God. The response lauds the person who follows the “Law,” specifically the Hebrew laws that warn against slander or false accusations. In the second strophe it honors the person who does no violence against another. And finally, in the last strophe, we are told that the person who does not charge interest on a loan (usury) is also uplifted.
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Gospel: Luke 19:1-10
Commentary on Lk 19:1-10
In this passage, we hear the story of Zacchaeus, the tax collector, and Jesus. While still on his final journey to Jerusalem, this encounter takes place in Jericho, on the western edge of Jordan Valley, about 6 miles north of the Dead Sea, northeast of Jerusalem. Jesus chooses Zacchaeus’ home for his resting place (an unpopular choice: “…they began to grumble, saying, ‘He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner’”).
Jesus uses this occasion to give us a clear idea of why he came. When Zacchaeus tells him what he has done with his material possessions, Jesus proclaims: “…the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost.” The Lord's mission is salvation.
The story of Zacchaeus is another of the stories unique to the Gospel of St. Luke. The tax collector exemplifies the attitude the faithful should take. He detaches himself easily from his wealth. Zacchaeus' offers go beyond what Mosaic Law calls for (assuming some of his dealings were dishonest: Exodus 21:37; Numbers 5:5-7) to give half of his possessions to the poor, and to make amends four times over for any accounts he has wrongly settled. This action, the Lord tells those present, has earned him salvation.
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Reflection:
We cannot ignore that Jesus came “…to seek and save what was lost.” We also understand that, through the Apostles, this mission was passed on to the Church, and, through our baptism, to us. It is an important mission and one of which we should never lose sight. The message we bring must be Christ’s message, not our own interpretation of another’s moral code.
Each day in the news we find another example of conflict between those who uphold the Church’s teaching on the sanctity of life and religious liberty and those who view life decisions as belonging to each individual, regardless of the value they place on human life. We are told it does not matter where they work, that the organization and its employees must adhere to government values. We must try to balance our righteous zeal against allowing ourselves to be pulled into the sin of uncharitable thoughts and actions.
While the dignity of human life is an important element of Church teaching, and certainly needs to be proclaimed to the world, we must always be cautious that we do not lose sight of the Lord’s own example of how to teach and how to reach out. We can use the story of Jesus’ encounter with Zacchaeus as an example. Zacchaeus was a tax collector. In the time of Jesus, that meant he was a representative of the occupying Roman government, despised by most of the region’s native residents. Those in his profession made a good living, not just collecting the lawful tax imposed by the government, but like collection agencies today, they also received a percentage of what they were able to collect.
We could, corrected for time and social evolution, place his image at the same level as an abortion doctor in a strongly pro-life community today. What would the modern response to such an individual be from those with zeal for this important teaching? Experience tells us that the tactics used would be to attempt to publicly humiliate this person, to stop him, by whatever means necessary (in some cases this has even taken the form of violence, certainly mental violence if not physical), from doing what he or she clearly thinks is the morally right thing. We are not defending the pro-abortion cause here, just trying to point out where our zeal may have taken us.
If Jesus were here in this community, he would use his prestige and notoriety to go to this doctor’s house and convince the person that his view on the sanctity of life had become twisted and desensitized, and that he has lost sight of the previously taken oath to save lives. Jesus would reach out in love to this person, not try to heap on public humiliation (we see those bullying tactics routinely used by the LGBT groups against anyone who disagrees with them).
We too must be careful not to so vehemently proclaim pro-life or any other cause that we overshadow the most important message that Christ left us: to love God and one another. In some instances this feels like the case. To use the analogy of cooking, so much spice has been added to the recipe that the flavor of the dish has been spoiled.
The Church has such a huge job to do that we must not be directed to only one issue. To those who are critical of the clergy who did not speak out forcefully before the elections I would say, rather than trying to divide the Church we must unify. By our united actions great things can be accomplished. Above all we must hate the sin and love the sinner. It is Christ’s message and he is the Way, the Truth and the Life.
Pax
[1] The picture used today is “Tax Collector” by Marinus van Reymerswaele, 1542
[4] Sardis: this city, located ca. thirty miles southeast of Thyatira, was once the capital of Lydia, known for its wealth at the time of Croesus (6th century B.C.). Its citadel, reputed to be unassailable, was captured by surprise, first by Cyrus and later by Antiochus. The church is therefore warned to be on guard.
[5] Laodicea: ca. forty miles southeast of Philadelphia and ca. eighty miles east of Ephesus, a wealthy industrial and commercial center, with a renowned medical school. It exported fine woolen garments and was famous for its eye salves. It was so wealthy that it was proudly rebuilt without outside aid after the devastating earthquake of A.D. 60/61.
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