Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time: Year C - Oct. 30, 2016.
Readings: Wis. 11:22-12:2; Responsorial Psalm Ps 145:1-2, 8-9, 10-11, 13, 14; Thes. 1:11-2:2; Gospel Lk. 19:1-10.
Theme: The Challenge of Meeting the Lord & the Sycamore Tree!
Friends in Christ, the wisdom text (Wis. 11:22-12:2) we read today reminds us about God's kindness and mercy as well as his ardent desire to save sinners. It particularly notes that he does that: "...that they may abandon their wickedness and believe in [him]."
This implies that God's love is infinite and his mercies unparalleled. Such warm assurances are sure a product of God's benevolence. There is no better moment for appropriating such a salvific gesture than when the Jubilee Year of Mercy is winding up.
The message of the first reading is reinforced in the gospel (Lk. 19:1-10) where the publican Zacchaeus takes advantage of Jesus passing through Jericho. From him, we learn that:
1. Jesus passes through the Jericho of our daily lives but only those who hunger for him can take advantage of the situation and be the better for it.
