Summary of a Fr. Gerry Creedon homily from November 04, 2007
"But you have mercy on all, because you can do all things." Wisdom 11:23
Last week's Gospel was addressed to the self-satisfied; people who see themselves as God's gift to humanity, who consider themselves as number one because they are Americans, or Catholics who think they are better than everybody else. Jesus confronts them with the story of the Pharisee in the temple, who did not go home justified.
By contrast, this Sunday's Gospel addresses those who have a low self-esteem, who are not sure they belong and prefer to be at the edge of the congregation. Jesus tells them the story of Zaccheus.
Zaccheus was a tax collector. He was seen as a public sinner. To this day there are people who view raising taxes as nefarious activity. Some of a particular persuasion see it as a mortal sin. Moreover, Zaccheus raised taxes for the occupying imperial government, and skimmed from the top. He had as much respect in society as a drug-dealer would enjoy today. He was a greedy little man. "He could not see him because of the crowd, for he was short of stature." Yet Zaccheus had a desire in his heart to seek Jesus. He wanted something more. He climbed a sycamore tree.
This reminds me of the time when Tiger Woods came to Washington to play in the US Open at Congressional. He had just burst into the golfing world like a shooting star. Fr. Bob Cilinski and I went over to see him. We could not, because of the mob scene that crowded him. So we climbed an apple tree to get a view. Along came a marshal who shouted, "Get off that tree immediately!" It was clear that he did not want to invite us to his house. We begged for a minute to see the famous swing of our hero. "No. Get down at once!" We caught a glimpse of Tiger's backswing as he sent the ball down field over 300 yards. It was as if we had seen Jesus!
The Lord looked up and said, "Zaccheus, hurry down, today I must dine at your house." Last week when we heard that the tax-collector had been justified for his humility, someone questioned me." I accept his interior conversion, but what did he do on Monday?" We are given the answer about Zaccheus. He stood his ground, "Behold, half of my possessions I shall give to the poor," Acquisition and accumulation ceded to an open, generous heart.
We think we can achieve salvation by our possessions, our works, or confessions. All that is needed is the encounter with Christ. Grace is God's initiative.
"Today salvation has come to this house."