PRI Reflections on Scripture | Tuesday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time

Join Msgr. Don Fischer as he reads and delivers a short reflection on today’s gospel, followed by 3 1/2 minutes of contemplative music and a closing prayer. Msgr. Don hopes that today’s reflection on the gospel will empower you to carry the Word in your heart throughout the day.

Choose either the video or audio below.

Gospel 

Luke 19:1-10

At that time Jesus came to Jericho and intended to pass through the town. Now a man there named Zacchaeus, who was a chief tax collector and also a wealthy man, was seeking to see who Jesus was; but he could not see him because of the crowd, for he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus, who was about to pass that way. When he reached the place, Jesus looked up and said, “Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house.” And he came down quickly and received him with joy. When they saw this, they began to grumble, saying, “He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner.”  But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone I shall repay it four times over.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house because this man too is a descendant of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost.”

Reflection

The beautiful thing in this passage to me is the work of Jesus. He's not come into the world to somehow judge us, or show us our weaknesses, but just somehow by his very presence awaken in people a desire for the Kingdom of God. And that kingdom is caring for the poor. It is making up for the things that you've done that have harmed people.

Zacchaeus is a beautiful image of the gifts that Jesus had brought to the world.

Closing Prayer

Father, help us to see you. Help us to understand you. Help us to know your gifts that are there for us. It's our trust in you that is so important. Increase our trust. And we ask this in Jesus;’ name, Amen.

Kyle Cross