Zacchaeus Sunday 2016 Fr. Michael Margitich

Glory be to Jesus Christ. Glory be to God. I'm

so pleased that Father has asked me to give the

homily today. And it's more than a coincidence

that at the same time, if you take a peek at

your right, the monks have started Started the

depiction of Zacchaeus. Going. And our Lord going

through Jericho. I want to begin by saying that

there is no more. Important. Significant and

relevant passage found. In the Holy Scripture.

Than the one we heard in today's gospel. which

was taken from the 19th chapter of St. Luke.

And in particular, I want to focus in on this

one passage. Jesus has come to seek and to save

that which was lost. This passage also is found...

In many of the liturgical prayers. And a similar

passage is found in the Old Testament. In the

book of Ezekiel. When God says to the prophet.

I will seek the lost. Bring back the scattered.

You could put here the word drifters. I underline

the word drifters. Bind up the broken heart.

Today's gospel theme is essentially on this passage.

You know, my dear people, so many preachers are

promoting a theology which can be called a cotton

cat. A cotton candy approach. What do I mean

by that? It is contrary to the basic truth that

Jesus has taught. A faith that no longer requires

repentance. A faith that has removed the cross

from the church. A faith that does not speak

of sin. A faith that does not speak of the cross

and the narrow path which the gospel speaks of

is not Christian. Simply not Christian. And that's

not being narrow -minded. It's simply being true

to the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Now,

most of us are familiar with our Lord's unusual,

and shall we say, revelationary encounter with

Zacchaeus. He was the chief tax collector of

Jericho. Probably something similar to our Las

Vegas. Now the evangelist gives us some insight

into his personality. He was a social and religious

outcast because of his questionable moral character.

He was deceitful with dealings with others. The

gospel is clear. He was an extortioner. And he

acquired great wealth through bribery. And most

important, he was physically short in stature.

Now that's important to remember. And I'll be

anxious to see how the monks depict him. He heard

of Christ's teachings, of his miracles, and of

our Lord's compassion. Since he was passing through

his city, Jericho, He decided to see if he could

get a glimpse of Jesus. But the narrow streets

were already crowded, filled with people, and

so he was unable even to get a glimpse of the

prophet. Out of frustration, he decided to leave.

But as he was leaving, he spotted a sycamore

tree. And he grabbed onto the first branch and

there thought he would hide himself with the

leaves. So he wouldn't be seen by other people.

Because they despised him. What an amazing. Shocking.

And surprising thing that happened. The Lord

stopped at that very tree. Looked up. And said

Zacchaeus come down. I must. visit your home.

Zacchaeus to his surprise wondered how Jesus

knew his name. And he thought, well, if he knows

my name, he's going to expose me to all of the

people. And it will be a dreadful, dreadful experience

for me. But two things I want to point out. It

would be a mistake to think that this was a chance

encounter, a coincidence of Christ meeting Zacchaeus.

Christ's encounter was a divinely ordained appointment.

Secondly, As I mentioned, Zacchaeus was concerned

that he may be exposed. But notice two things.

Jesus never condemned him. And Jesus said, I

must visit with you. You know, some fathers consider

that tree. As a symbol of the church. Because

it's in the church that we are elevated. Spiritually.

Above this earth. Salvation is only possible.

In and through the church. He who has God for

his father. Has the church. For his mother. Said

Saint Cyprian. It is grace which elevates us

from the world. It's the church where we stand

on holy ground. It's the church separating us

from the deceit and idolatry of this world. It's

the church where we are spiritually nourished

in Christ. Where we are joyfully Joined in prayer.

In honoring and glorifying God. It's in church

where we receive forgiveness of sins. Through

the sacrament. It's in the church together. That

we support one another. And our pilgrimage to

the kingdom of God. After meeting with Christ.

We are told specifically of his repentance. Now

Zacchaeus went far beyond what the legal requirements

were to have his sins forgiven. He said, if I

have taken anything from any man by false accusation,

I will restore him fourfold. I would like to

elaborate more on this passage. But as usual.

Time constraints. Limits me. Saint Clement of

Alexandria. In commenting on this particular

passage. said that Jesus saw Zacchaeus not only

in terms of his past life, but also in terms

of his future possibilities. And isn't this true?

He did the same with St. Matthew. Isn't it true

he did the same with Mary Magdalene? Especially

with Saul, who became Paul, one of the greatest

of all Christians. The point is what Zacchaeus,

what our Lord did for Zacchaeus, he can do for

us. Jesus came to seek and to save that which

was lost. In the New Testament term, however,

lost does not mean eternally condemned. It means

being lost in the world from God. From God's

teaching. To our loving and forgiving Lord. Who

has come to save and to seek that which was lost.

Glory, honor, and thanksgiving. Amen.