THIRTY-FIRST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

READINGS AT MASS 

Wis. 11:22-12:2

Psalm 145

2 Thess. 1:11-2:2

Luke 19:1-10

Theme: DOWN FROM THE TREE 

Dear friends in Christ, N'wokafu YESU KRISTO... 

Zachaous, the center of attraction in today's Gospel story, was a curious spectator of the person and works of Jesus Christ. He might have heard a lot about Jesus and yearned to see Him. Our Gospel text for this morning presents a rather surprising and beautiful turn of events for this public sinner and fan of Jesus. 

Jesus came to the tree on top of which Zachaous had climbed just to catch a glimpse of Him (Jesus) and said to him: Zachaous, come down from the tree for today I must stay in your house. And just like that, Zacchaeus moved from a mere spectator to a beneficiary of the beautiful stories and transforming events he had heard of. By getting down from that tree, Zacchaeus moved from just having a better view of external events to the center of events (of redemption and salvation). Immediately people began to talk about Jesus and Zacchaeus at the house of Zacchaeus. 

Beloved, just like Zachaous, most of us are secret admirers and distance spectators of the beautiful events of Jesus. We hear about His mighty deeds and how generously He dealt with others. We sit always on the tree of excitement and faith that hopes. May this never be the end of our story. May we also have that “get down from the tree experience” with Jesus, where we become the object of the miracle and the center of the testimony. 

May the Jesus story be our story too.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus Christ, may I also become, in faith, not just a spectator and admirer of your mighty works but the center and beneficiary of your generosity. Amen.

May God bless you.

-Rev. Fr. Kenneth Debre

Sunday, October 30, 2022.

Holy Rosary Parish, Hohoe.