[Pearls Episode 143: Bringing Sunday into the workweek.]
We’re looking at the story of Zacchaeus – and in him we are given a model for identifying our own obstacles to seeing Christ.
There is a beautiful ribbon of mysticism that ties Sunday’s first and second readings to the Gospel story of Zacchaeus. In the first reading, from Wisdom, we heard,
Before the LORD the whole universe is as a grain from a balance, or a drop of morning dew come down upon the earth… And how could a thing remain, unless You willed it; or be preserved, had it not been called forth by You.
And the second reading (from Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians):
We always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and powerfully bring to fulfillment every good purpose and every effort of faith, that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, in accord with the grace of our God and Lord Jesus Christ.
These passages remind us of the spiritual truth that everything good is from God – even our own desire to “see” Him and say “yes” to Him – is initiated by God.
Similarly, St. Augustine has this to say about Zacchaeus – “Christ, who was already dwelling in Zacchaeus’ heart, is welcomed into his house… There you are. That is really what welcoming Jesus means, welcoming him into your heart. Christ was already there. He was in Zacchaeus and spoke through him. St. Paul says that this is what it means, ‘For Christ to dwell by faith in your hearts.’”
The key is that “He was in Zacchaeus and spoke through him.“ God initiates, and God brings to completion. Even Zacchaeus’ ability to overcome his greed and return his wealth to the people was “Christ speaking through him.” Zacchaeus’ one important role was to cooperate.
This is reminiscent of these other words from St. Paul, “yet I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me; insofar as I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who has loved me and given himself up for me.”
And, this same mystery is articulated by the German mystic, Meister Eckhart: “The eye through which I see God is the same eye through which God sees me; my eye and God’s eye are one eye, one seeing, one knowing, one love.”
In another parable (Luke 19:16-22), a wealthy young man sees Christ but goes away sad. Why? Because he was seeing with worldly eyes and wasn’t ready to say “yes” and let Christ unburden him of greed.
Wealthy Zacchaeus saw Christ and was filled with joy. Why? Because he said “yes” and saw Christ with new eyes and was liberated from his greed.
In the week ahead there will be times when we are tested in an area where we are weak – be it pride, envy, sloth, gluttony, anger, greed or lust. If we’re able to think like Zacchaeus – “what is Christ up to in this moment? I want to see Him…” – He will come to us and strengthen us to stand firm. And we’ll come away with a newfound joy.
Blessings on your journey with Christ –
Steve and Karen Smith
Interior Life