Come Lord Jesus...

Homily on the 32nd Sunday after Pentecost

1 Timothy 4: 9-15; Luke 19: 1-10.

The All-Holy Trinity loves each and every one of His creations. He loves us so much that He gave His only Son, so that we might have life within us. Moreover, we are called to spread that love and joy to those around us. We, as the Church, are the Body of Christ – mystically joined by the Holy Mysteries of Baptism, Chrismation, and the Holy Mystery of the Eucharist.

Because we are part of Chrit’s Body the Church, we are called to be icons of Christ to one another – especially now, when many are suffering due to the financial mismanagement of others. Even if you think you can’t do much, a simple "hello" or offer of support can be enough to give someone hope. Never stop bringing others to the Lord in your prayers, for prayer for others is a form of spiritual charity. This is why the Church has always included the prayers of the faithful as an integral part of the Divine Liturgies!

Today, we recall Zacchaeus' meeting with Christ. What we learn from this encounter is that Christ came so that even the most lost person might have the opportunity to experience salvation. All we must do is say, "Yes, Lord," and welcome Him in. He does not care about our sins but rather that, despite our brokenness, we come to Him and ask for His help.

Saint John Chrysostom beautifully puts it in his baptismal instructions to catechumens:

"Not only is it wonderful that He forgives us our sins, but also that He neither uncovers them nor makes them stand forth clearly revealed. Nor does He force us to come forward and publicly proclaim our misdeeds, but He bids us to make our defense to Him alone and to confess our sins to Him. And yet, if any judge of a worldly tribunal were to tell some captured highwayman or grave robber to confess his crime and be excused from paying the penalty, this prisoner would with all alacrity admit the truth and scorn the disgrace in his desire to go free. But this is not the case in baptism. God forgives our sins and does not force us to make a parade of them in the presence of others. He seeks one thing only: that he who benefits by the forgiveness may learn the greatness of the gift."

This is why Zacchaeus was forgiven—because his sorrow was real and came from the heart. He did not run around the town like a Pharisee in sackcloth and ashes, nor did he stand in the front of the synagogue to show people how righteous he was. Instead, he came to our Lord and Savior and repented wholeheartedly. This is what Christ wants from each and every one of us.

Shortly, we will enter the Great Fast (Lent), a time when we have the opportunity to enter the spiritual desert. During this time, we can spend quiet moments in contemplation and ask the Lord to help remove whatever impedes our spiritual growth. This is a sacred time, and if done well, it can bring us many spiritual graces from the All-Holy Trinity.

Do not be afraid to approach our Lord and ask for all the graces you need to be spiritually healthy during this time. He truly desires all of His children to be spiritually healed. Ask, and you will receive, especially if you ask with a humble heart full of love for God and your fellow humans.

Saint John Cassian expresses it this way:

"If we remember that thief who, for a single confession, was taken into Paradise, we shall realize that it was not for the merit of the life he lived that he obtained so great blessedness, but that it was his by the gift of God, Who had mercy on him. Or let us think of David, the king, whose two such grievous and awful crimes were wiped away by one word of penitence. Neither here do we see that the merit of what he did was equal to obtaining pardon for such great offense, but the grace of God did the more abound when, on the occasion of true penitence, He did away with all that weight of sin for one single word of genuine confession. Again, when we consider the beginnings of man's calling and salvation, which, as the Apostle tells us, is not of ourselves or of our words, but we are saved by the gift and grace of God, we shall be able clearly to perceive how the end of perfection is not 'of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God Who showeth mercy,' Who makes us victors over our vices, although we have no merit at all of life or labors to weigh against them, nor does the effort of our will avail for us to reach the steep summit of righteousness, or to subdue the flesh which we are bound to use... For the outcome of all good flows from His grace, Who hath bestowed so great an eternity of bliss and such immeasurable glory, with manifold generosity, upon the weak will and the short life-work of man."(St. John Cassian, Institutes, Book 12, Chapter 11)

What this means is that it is enough, like the thief, to ask for forgiveness, even if that request is made at the last moment. What this proves is that we have a loving God who wills that all might be saved, should they choose to approach Him. Therefore, it is vital that we do not judge others, for we do not know their spiritual journey or where they stand with God—this is between them and God, and, if they are under spiritual direction, their spiritual father.

Finally, as we prepare to enter the Great Fast of Lent, use this time to grow closer to the lost, the poor, and the broken, for they need to hear the good news that Christ came for them. Too many of their poor souls are left languishing, thinking they are unloved by anyone—even by God. But the truth is so different: they are loved by God, and they need to know this.

Let us pray that God will guide us during this time, that we may be spiritually healed and show His love to those around us, for He loves all of His creation.

and wills that they should be spiritually healthy – should they approach Him in love.