Tuesday of the 33rd week in ordinary time
Rev. 3: 1-6. 14-22 Luke 19: 1-10
Theme: The mercy of God
In the 1st reading of today, from the Book of Revelation we see the mercy of God and his desire to ensure that none of us is lost at the end. He is willing to embrace anyone of us who is willing to open his or her heart and give him a chance. As many that are willing to accept this invitation that is presented to us today, will receive the mercy and blessings of God. Interestingly, the mercy of God supersedes any mistake we may have made in our lives, so there is no sin or evil that God cannot forgive, if we go to him with a sincere heart. This is a call to repentance that can only come from a loving and merciful father. This is not the time to stand on the fence, it is rather an opportunity to make that important choice that will change the narrative of our life for good. God is always willing to play his role in the lives of his children, it is left for us to also play our own role, for the will of God to be fulfilled in our lives. Make good use of the invitation presented to you in the 1st reading of today and see how God will change the narrative of your life and give you another chance to become the best version of yourself.
In the gospel reading of today from St. Luke’s gospel, we also see the mercy of God at play in the life of the people. If we have the openness and the positive disposition to give God a chance in our lives, he is ever ready to come to our assistance. He will never turn his back on anyone who comes to him with a sincere heart, he came that we would have life in abundance and not death. In his usual way, he gave Zacchaeus the rich tax collector another opportunity to return to the right path. However, I would also like to point out the fact that Zacchaeus desired to see Jesus and he made effort by running ahead and climbing a tree, and Jesus blessed his effort, and he received Jesus and salvation into his home. We must always play our role and then leave the rest to God; it is not right when we leave everything to God, including what we can do for ourselves, without making personal effort to make our personal desire come to pass. Zacchaeus received Jesus into his home and made reparation by promising to give half of his wealth to the poor.
May the Lord bless his words in our hearts, as we strive to make this happen in our lives, in the name of the father and of the son and of the holy spirit, Amen. Peace be with you.