3rd June Trinity 2020, No Hands But Yours

June Trinity 

Luke 19:1-10 (Madsen)

And he came to Jericho and went through the town.

See, there was a man called Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax-collector and a rich man. He wanted to see Jesus, to know who he was, but because he was small of stature, he could not see him in the great crowd. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a mulberry-fig tree to see him, for he had to come past there.

And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up to him and said, ‘Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must be a guest in your house!’ And he came down hurriedly and made him welcome in his house with great joy. All who saw it became indignant and said, ‘He has gone in to be a guest in the house of a sinner.’

Then Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, ‘Lord, see, half of all that I have I give to the poor, and if I have taken too much from someone, I give it back to him fourfold.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘So today healing has come to this house. This man, too, is a true son of Abraham and the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost.’

3^rd June Trinity

June 21, 2020

Luke 19: 1-10

One’s placement in life, one’s job, vocation, or upbringing, does not necessarily say anything about one’s moral stature. Being poor and lowly does not prevent one from being a moral giant. But neither does being rich or elevated. It all depends on the individual’s inner and outer response to their circumstances.

Zacchaeus was both Jewish and a publican, that is, a tax collector for the Romans occupiers. As a Jew, he was in an awkward position. Not only did Zaccheaus collect Roman taxes from his fellow Jews; he was also the ‘head of department’ near Jericho. Because of its locality along the major trade route, taxes were a rich source of income for the Romans. It was likely Zacchaeus’ position that led to his being wealthy. His position also meant that he was despised by his own people, not only because he was working for the oppressors, but for reasons of physical and ritual purity. (In other places in the gospels* the Jewish leadership criticize Jesus for ‘eating with sinners and tax-collectors.’) The gospel’s mention of his ‘small stature’ may also be a metaphorical reference his ‘standing’ in the Jewish community.

Yet Zacchaeus has the desire to know Jesus. His ‘running ahead and climbing the mulberry-fig tree’ may also be seen as a description of his inner state: He prepares himself ahead of time and elevates his spirit for the encounter. And then not only can he see Jesus, but he will be seen.

In any case, Jesus is aware of him and responds positively to him by entering into a close relationship with him, much to Zacchaeus’ joy.

And it is clear from what follows in the gospel that Zacchaeus has used his wealth and position in a moral way: of his own wealth, he gives half to the poor. And in his official position, he is conscientious in how much he charges and scrupulous in making fourfold restitution for any mistakes. He is a just man, using his position and personal wealth to benefit the whole community. Jesus calls him a true son of Abraham and connects with him. Zacchaeus is someone Jesus can work with.

Christ sees us all, elevated or lowly. He sees into our hearts and into our deeds. He brings His healing work of redemption to all, despite the public’s opinion about them or their status in the community. It is the state of our hearts that Christ is interested in. It is our love translated into deeds of justice and mercy that make us those He can work with. For especially now, Christ needs us in order to do his work of healing in the world. In the words of Theresa of Avila

Christ has no body now but yours.

No hands, no feet on earth but yours.

Yours are the eyes through which 

He looks compassion on this world.

Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good.

Yours are the hands through which he blesses all the world.

Christ has no body now on earth but yours.

 

*See Mt 9:11, Mk 2:16, Lk 5:3