.

TODAY’S WORD…

.

Jesus entered Jericho and was going through the town

when a man whose name was Zacchaeus made his appearance:

he was one of the senior tax collectors and a wealthy man.

He was anxious to see what kind of man Jesus was,

but he was too short and could not see Him for the crowd.

So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree

to catch a glimpse of Jesus who was to pass that way.

.

When Jesus reached the spot

He looked up and spoke to him:

“Zacchaeus, come down.

Hurry, because I must stay at your house today.”

And he hurried down and welcomed Jesus joyfully.

.

– Luke 19:1-6 (JB)

.

.

.

REFLECTION…

.

Zacchaeus was a well-to-do tax collector,

despised by the people

because he was seen as being guilty of abuses

and a collaborator of the despised Roman authorities.

.

In spite of all this, Zacchaeus,

who was curious about Jesus who was due to pass through town

and very keen to see Him,

shed his pride and any fear of ridicule

and he climbed up a tree to get a better view.

.

Now I may feel far removed from Zacchaeus,

and that I am an upright Christian,

but am I honestly prepared

to publically show my feelings and excitement for Jesus,

who I profess to be the Son of God?

.

We should never let false shame or fear of criticism

prevent us from using the resources and situations available to us

to meet our Lord,

and to acknowledge our love for Him.

.

.

.

PRAYER…

.

Lord Jesus,

forgive me for those occasions

where I felt Your Spirit prompting me

to proclaim my love for You

…but I cowardly shied away,

for fear of ridicule, criticism or repercussion.

.

How can I, Lord,

acknowledge You as the Son of God,

without feeling elated

and wishing to proclaim You

– by word and deed?

.

Jesus, please give me strength of character.

Send Your Holy Spirit, Lord,

and fill me with a strong and ardent desire for You.

.

Amen.

.

.

.

REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

.

Lord, fill me with a strong and ardent desire for You..

.

.

YEAR OF FAITH 2012-2013

FROM THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH…

.

The Beatitudes (Mt 5:3-12) respond to the natural desire for happiness.

This desire is of divine origin: God has placed it in the human heart

in order to draw man to the One who alone can fulfill it:

.

We all want to live happily;

in the whole human race there is no one who does not assent to this proposition,

even before it is fully articulated.1

.

How is it, then, that I seek You, Lord?

Since in seeking You, my God, I seek a happy life,

let me seek You so that my soul may live,

for my body draws life from my soul

and my soul draws life from You.2

.

God alone satisfies.3

.

[CCC 1718]

. .

1 St. Augustine
2 St. Augustine
3 St. Thomas Aquinas

[CCC]

.

.

.