In the gospels of last week and today we see people who are considered "outsiders," unworthy of love, concern or attention.  In fact, last week we saw in the prayer of the Pharisee how he used the tax collector, who was also praying, as an opportunity to tell God how good he was in comparison.  Clearly the tax collector was not worth his time, effort or concern, and the Pharisee felt quite justified with his attitude.  This week we hear the familiar account of Zacchaeus, another tax collector.  He too was rejected and despised by his own people.  But the love of God in Jesus transformed him.  The peace he so longed for was not found in his political position or material wealth.  He found it in the love, concern and attention Jesus showered upon him.

Two weeks ago I accompanied a friend of mine to social services where he sought a fair hearing concerning his wheelchair and accessories that are truly needed but were denied.  While I was waiting outside for him to arrive I encountered many "tax collectors," many people who I am sure do not feel loved or concerned about.  One man was wearing a Yankee hat so I used that to open a conversation with him.  He was at social services because he did not have the rent money he needed to stay at the sober house where he is living at the moment.  In speaking with him he told me about his problems with alcohol and drugs.  I had no solution, only the kindest ear I could offer to listen to him as Jesus would.  Our conversation lasted only about ten minutes, but I left that conversation feeling somewhat helpless to solve his problems, but hopeful that I offered at least a little light to a fellow human being who is living with many difficulties.  It is easy to point fingers and justify walking away.  People did that to Zacchaeus. But Jesus didn’t.

The fair hearing itself was somewhat frustrating.  The administrative judge listened and recorded the conversation, but did not offer any real hope that the denial of what is needed would be overturned. But as we were leaving I asked him if he was Catholic.  He said no, that he was Pentecostal.  I told him about the gospel of the day before where the widow kept asking the unjust judge for justice.  The administrative judge looked up and said that he prays before every case he hears and urged all of us to pray for those who would be making a judgment about the appeal.  It would have been very easy to write the administrative judge off, but he is taking his position seriously and praying to God for help, something we all need to do as the followers of Jesus.

Darkness comes when we write others off who don’t do what we want, are not what we think they should be, or don’t think like us. Darkness comes when we exclude others from what we are doing or from our time, attention or concern. Darkness comes when we focus on how we are different. In the simple words of Jesus in today’s gospel we see how light came into the life of a man who felt rejected and despised.  "Hurry down, Zacchaeus, I mean to stay at your house today." In other words, I want the privilege of being in your company and I want to show you that I love and care for you.  In the second reading today St. Paul reminds us that our omnipotent, our all powerful God does not use his power to condemn or punish us, but to renew us with his mercy.  As it says in the fourth eucharistic prayer, "Again and again you offered a covenant to us and through the prophets taught us to hope for salvation."  That hope was realized for Zacchaeus by Jesus who would not look the other way as everyone else did.  Jesus never looks the other way as far as we are concerned.  He always looks at us and for us, especially when we are lost and burdened.  He also trusts us to do the same for one another.  Who is on our list as a "tax collector?"  Turning away and ignoring others only makes divisions wider and reconciliation a more remote thought.  Jesus seeks out "tax collectors." How can we do any less as CHRISTians?

Father Walden