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#TomorrowIsSunday (EN+ES) | Why does God like haste?

Fr. Paweł Rytel-Andrianik / 29.10.2022
Jericho sycamore tree remains, Photo Credit Sr. Amata CSFN
Jericho sycamore tree remains, Photo Credit Sr. Amata CSFN

31st Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year C

Sunday, October 30, 2022

Gospel of Luke 19: 1-10

EN: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/103022.cfm

You can download the commentary on the Gospel and beautiful photos:

https://www.academia.edu/89480022/Why_does_God_like_haste?source=swp_share

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XXXI Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario, Año C

Domingo, 30 de octubre de 2022

Evangelio de San Lucas 19: 1-10

ES: https://bible.usccb.org/es/bible/lecturas/103022.cfm


1. The chief of tax collectors on the tree

We are surprised by the image of a wealthy citizen who climbs a sycamore tree seeking to see the wandering Teacher. It makes us wonder what was there inside Zacchaeus’ heart, what desires caused him to be unafraid of ridicule in the eyes of the people of Jericho.

2. Keywords

Jesus looked up and said, “Zacchaeus…

The name Zacchaeus means “innocent, pure.” His neighbors had a different opinion of Zacchaeus. Tax collectors gathered taxes and any benefits owed to the authorities. They had a reputation not only as collaborators with the Roman occupier but also as financial fraudsters. Rabbinic teachings claimed that tax collectors could not be Pharisees precisely because of their questionable morals.

Jesus saw something in Zacchaeus, seated on a sycamore tree, that his neighbors and acquaintances did not. For Jesus, Zacchaeus is a “son of Abraham” who can receive God’s blessing and mercy. Zacchaeus can be close to God.

…come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house.”

It seems a little strange that Jesus would invite himself to Zacchaeus’ home. In Jesus’ time, it was an honor to host a famous rabbi in one’s home, and many people sought this out. Jesus says, “I must stay in your house.” In the Greek original, the word I must is “dei,” which is the impersonal form, even more firm and decisive: it is necessary, it must be done. This word is used in the Gospel to describe God’s urging, a necessity coming from the Holy Spirit. When God meets man, there is no time to waste. Zacchaeus hears that he is to come down from the tree quickly because later today Jesus wants to be with him in his house. Matters of utmost importance cannot wait for tomorrow.

[Zacchaeus] came down quickly and received him with joy […] and said to the Lord,

“Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone, I shall repay it four times over.”

Zacchaeus responds to Jesus with similar haste. He welcomes Jesus into his home with great joy. He is willing to give up half of his possessions, far more than the Law prescribed.  The redemption price called for by the Lord in Exodus and Numbers was half a shekel. Likewise, according to Scripture, a person needed to pay back double what he defrauded from any person. Zacchaeus declares a return of four times. He responds to Jesus with joy and generosity.

Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house”.

The word “today” tells us about God’s urging, and Jesus’ desire to meet with a person. God’s “today” in the New Testament means the day of salvation. The day of salvation is the eternal today, which applies to Zacchaeus as much as it does to each of us.

3. Today

Jesus tells this parable to me as well. What am I doing to see Him? Would I invite Jesus into my home? What prevents me from receiving the Lord?  Do I believe that Jesus wants to give me His blessing, mercy, and salvation, especially in the Sacrament of Penance and Holy Communion?

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1. El jefe de los recaudadores de impuestos en el árbol

Nos sorprende la imagen de un ciudadano adinerado que se sube a un sicómoro buscando ver al Maestro errante. Nos hace preguntarnos qué había en el corazón de Zaqueo, qué deseos le hacían no tener miedo al ridículo ante los ojos de la gente de Jericó.

2. Keywords

Jesús levantó los ojos y le dijo: “Zaqueo…

El nombre Zaqueo significa “inocente, puro”. Sus vecinos tenían una opinión diferente de Zaqueo. Los recaudadores de impuestos cobraban los impuestos y cualquier beneficio que se debiera a las autoridades. Tenían fama no sólo de colaboradores con el ocupante romano, sino también de defraudadores financieros. Las enseñanzas rabínicas afirmaban que los recaudadores de impuestos no podían ser fariseos precisamente por su dudosa moral.

Jesús vio en Zaqueo, sentado en un sicómoro, algo que no vieron sus vecinos y conocidos. Para Jesús, Zaqueo es un “hijo de Abraham” que puede recibir la bendición y la misericordia de Dios. Zaqueo puede estar cerca de Dios.

bájate pronto, porque hoy tengo que hospedarme en tu casa.”

Parece un poco extraño que Jesús se invite a sí mismo a la casa de Zaqueo. En la época de Jesús, era un honor recibir a un rabino famoso en la propia casa, y mucha gente lo buscaba. Jesús dice: “Debo quedarme en tu casa”. En el original griego, la palabra debo es “dei”, que es la forma impersonal, aún más firme y decisiva: es necesario, debe hacerse. Esta palabra se utiliza en el Evangelio para describir el impulso de Dios, una necesidad que viene del Espíritu Santo. Cuando Dios se encuentra con el hombre, no hay tiempo que perder. Zaqueo se entera de que debe bajar rápidamente del árbol porque hoy mismo Jesús quiere estar con él en su casa. Los asuntos de máxima importancia no pueden esperar a mañana.

Él bajó enseguida y lo recibió muy contento […] Zaqueo dijo a Jesús: “Mira, Señor, voy a dar a los pobres la mitad de mis bienes, y si he defraudado a alguien, le restituiré cuatro veces más”.

Zaqueo responde a Jesús con una prisa similar. Acoge a Jesús en su casa con gran alegría. Está dispuesto a entregar la mitad de sus bienes, mucho más de lo que prescribe la Ley.  El precio de redención exigido por el Señor en Éxodo y Números era medio siclo. Asimismo, según las Escrituras, una persona debía devolver el doble de lo que defraudaba a cualquier persona. Zaqueo declara una devolución del cuádruple. Responde a Jesús con alegría y generosidad.

Jesús le dijo: “Hoy ha llegado la salvación a esta casa”.

La palabra “hoy” nos habla de la urgencia de Dios, y del deseo de Jesús de encontrarse con una persona. El “hoy” de Dios en el Nuevo Testamento significa el día de la salvación. El día de la salvación es el eterno hoy, que se aplica tanto a Zaqueo como a cada uno de nosotros.

3. Hoy

Jesús también me cuenta esta parábola a mí. ¿Qué estoy haciendo para verlo a Él? ¿Invitaría a Jesús a mi casa? ¿Qué me impide recibir al Señor?  ¿Creo que Jesús quiere darme su bendición, su misericordia y su salvación, especialmente en el sacramento de la Penitencia y de la Comunión?

 

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2024-10-13 23:15:12