Sunday, November 03, 2013. Today's Liturgical Reading by Daily Flash, Goa. 

31st Sunday of Ordinary Time, Day of the Family Apostolate. 

Wisdom 11:22 - 12:2; Psalm 144[145]:1-2, 8-11, 13-14; 2 Thessalonians 1:11 - 2:2; Gospel : Luke 19:1-10. [Please share today's Gospel with family,friends/neighbors.] 

Focus: "For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost" (Luke 19:10)

Tax collectors in Roman controlled Judea were a complex and troubled lot. They were Jews who were doubly despised by their own people, both as frontmen for the hated Romans, and because they zealously overtaxed their fellow Jews. After rendering to their masters what was due to Caesar they conveniently pocketed the difference! Socially they were clubbed with 'sinners', were ritually unclean, and deemed 'lost'. Thus, while they were rich, the burden of disdain weighed heavily on them, and they yearned for release from their plight, making them ideal candidates for Jesus' ministry. 

Little wonder then, that St. Luke makes at least five prior references to Tax collectors, where he uses them as symbols for repentant sinners, who have the potential to respond generously to God's call (see Luke 3:12-13, 5:27-32, 7:29, 15:1-2 & 18:9-14).

Luke's intention in today's delightful Gospel is to hold Zacchaeus up as a symbol of 'everyman'. We are 'tax collectors', each one of us. And when we accept that we are lost, cry out to God for help, and are willing to repent, forgive and make amends, we too will, like Zacchaeus be sought out and saved. For that is exactly what Jesus himself said His mission was (Focus)

Fruit: We don't have to climb a sycamore to catch God's merciful attention. A mere cry from the depths, or the Lord's Prayer said sincerely will suffice.