By Friny Peter Ruwnglal, CSC –
Readings: 2Mac 6: 18-31; Lk 19: 1-10
Our mother India is home to many religions with each having different belief systems, rituals and religious practices. We all hear of lots of religious chaos and turmoil, discrimination and communal clashes. It seems frightening and challenging to us as there is a rise in false allegations and misunderstanding among different faith communities. There is a need for men and women of courage and true nobility.
The first reading today speaks to us about the martyrdom of Eleazar on account of eating the swine’s flesh which was against Jewish law. Eleazar stood courageously facing the martyrdom with a firm faith and trust in God. This story encourages us to be bold and face challenges of life even more boldly even at the cost of encountering suffering, anguish, humiliation and pain.
The gospel reading shows the encounter of Jesus and Zacchaeus. Having a desire to see Jesus from Zacchaeus part was just enough to bring about a transformation of attitudes and repentance. I do believe that many of us have come across certain individuals and/or groups of people who we consider as tough to deal and live with. As a matter of fact, it is our attitude and ego that takes us away from seeing the goodness of a person. This is the kind of crowd that we hear about in the gospel. They started grumbling and hardening their heart when Jesus decided to dine with Zacchaeus. From the people’s perspective it looks impossible for Jesus to enter Zacchaeus’ house.
In our context too, we do wrongly look and pass comments at men and women of different orientation, sex workers, drug addicts, divorced couples as sinful in the society. When such persons try to come back to the church and begin a normal life, we find it extremely difficult to accept them as they are.
Today, let us ask ourselves: are we persons who allow Jesus to intervene in someone’s life and give a change of heart and restore hope and meaning to their lives? Let our prayer be to grant us the grace to appreciate, encourage, and support persons who want to overcome their weaknesses and struggles of life and become faithful followers of Christ Jesus.