REFLECTIONS ON THE 3IST SUNDAY IN ORD TIMES A dishonest tax collector reforms by Fr. Bel R. San Luis, SVD November 1, 2013 During the days of the Civil War in America, a guard was caught sleeping while on night duty. The offence during war carried a sentence of death penalty. When President Abraham Lincoln heard about it, he himself talked with the guard and ordered that the penalty be commuted. * * * Despite misgivings of his generals, the president stuck to his decision. The soldier did his best henceforth, and proved to be an exceptionally diligent, conscientious soldier. In the gospel of this 31st Sunday, we read about Zaccheus who, like that soldier, had committed a serious offence but was given a second chance. * * * As senior tax-collector, Zaccheus had grown rich by using his position of power to defraud the people and line his pocket with bribes. His greed caught up with him, giving him a troubled conscience.He sought Jesus with genuine humility which he showed by taking the unusual step of climbing a sycamore tree despite the fact that he was a prominent official in the city. * * * He wanted to impress on the Lord that he had REFORMED his life. He told Jesus that he had been going far beyond the requirements of the religious law in his effort to right the wrongs he did to others. “Behold, Lord, the half of my properties I give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore four times” (Lk 18:8). It’s a 180-degree turn-around we call by many terms like “repentance,” “conversion” or “metanoia.” Jesus calls it “salvation.” * * * Zaccheus’ story is God’s unequivocable warning against greed or enriching oneself at the expense of people’s money. The warning is as timely as today’s headlines with cases of corruption in the government and private sectors. * * * What lessons can we learn from Zaccheus? First, there’s always hope for the worst sinner as long as he admits his sin and wrongdoing. Remember the gospel of last Sunday about the Pharisee and Publican (tax collector)? The remorseful Publican standing at the back of the temple beat his breast humbly, saying: “Lord, be merciful to me a sinner.” For this, Jesus said he was justified (saved). * * * ADMISSION of one’s guilt is not only the first step but also the hardest but a most important step to self-reform and salvation. A second requirement for pardon is to AMEND oneself or avoid repeating the same offence. A sincere repentance requires REPARATION or restitution, like what Zaccheus did. * * * Some years ago, when I was assigned in Divine Word College of Legazpi, an accountant-friend confided, “Father, in my profession I can’t help cutting corners here and there. I’m only human. My conscience bothers me. “So, like in accounting, I balance my sins by acts of reparation like almsgiving, extra prayers and works of charity. * * * Something like ‘debit-credit…” “Equals kupit?” I intervened jokingly. “No,” he replied, “debit-credit equals zero-zero balance.” He meant that we need to make a “0-0 balance” of our transgressions through penance and good works. * * * Like Zaccheus, we’re all sinners. We’ve committed stupid mistakes and serious wrongdoings which hound our conscience. But we can experience God’s forgiveness and peace of soul if we accept them, repent, and change. “Unless you change, you will perish,” thus Jesus’ warning.
Posted on: Sat, 02 Nov 2013 01:23:05 +0000
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