A Reflection for the 31st Sunday of Ordinary Time (Year C).
Wisdom 11:22-12:2 – 2 Thessalonians 1:11-2:2 – Luke 19:1-10.
It is often easy for someone to be fascinated by the universe. When you imagine the beauty of all creation, it is so amazing. It can help you connect to the realities beyond our sphere of existence. From documentaries about the universe, you see the excitement with which scientists, astrophysicists, astronauts, and others in the field analyse what they understand about the universe. Many discoveries are being made every day, and people are imagining and working towards the possibility of finding life outside the earth, the chance of living somewhere outside the earth – like on Mars, the opportunity of journeying beyond the stars, and so on. Curiosity and wonder drive us and lead us definitely somewhere.
The first reading of today (from the book of wisdom, written around the mid-first century BC) reveals that the writer of the text marvelled at the vastness of the universe and how our world is like the grain of dust that tips the scale or like a drop of morning dew on the ground (v22). The writer was demonstrating the link between the knowledge of the time and Jewish belief in God. It is interesting how people of the time had known or imagined how vast the universe is even without the telescope or flying out of the world to see it. That is also how our minds can project us to the contemplation on the mysteries of God who made of things, on the love and kindness of God to all He created, on how close He is to us and takes notice of all of us, even the smallest of creation that can be easily neglected, on how He cares about all creation and does not hate anyone and is forgiving to those who return to him who had gone astray. The psalmist said: When I look at the heavens, the work of your hands, the moon, and the stars which you arranged: what is man that you care for him, and keep him in mind? (Ps.8:3,4).
I see the same wonder in the experience of Zacchaeus in the gospel reading. He had heard about Jesus and wanted to see him. He took his vantage point on top of a tree, (like someone trying to peep into the vastness of creation through a telescope,) to look at Jesus, the word of God by whom all things came into being (Jn1:3). He understood his visual limitation as a dwarf amidst the crowd, and was desperate to overcome it so that he can understand and see the Christ. He might not have been the only dwarf there, but he was exceptional in his effort so that he could see Jesus Christ. Beyond his fulfilment at being able to see Jesus there, he also got a special treat from Jesus in the form of an invitation to dine in his house. The experience of being with the Lord, who was his object of wonder, brought Zacchaeus to a profound conversion, repentance, and forgiveness of sins.
Have you been amazed by your wonder about God or His creation? What is it about God that wows you? What is that marvellous thing about God that draws you to him? What is that thing in creation that makes you revere and worship God? What solidifies your faith and makes you aware of God’s infinite love and mercy? We must remember that the beauty of creation is not meant for us only to admire them, but to go beyond admiring them to knowing the Creator God behind them (Gen1:1), the one who orders all things (Col.1:17). May you take your vantage point today to have an awesome personal experience of the Lord. With that, you can see Him moving with you through every situation.
Gathered here today, we have taken a vantage point to see and hear Jesus communing with us. He brings us closer to the table of the Eucharist, where He makes us see how He is one with us and we with Him, and shares with us the greatest mystery of all – our salvation. Just like Jesus told Zacchaeus, he assures us that salvation has come into our lives into our families, those who commune with him and are deeply transformed by that experience. God has destined us in love to be his children through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will. In him, we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and on earth (Eph.1:5,7,10)
I pray with St Paul (2R.) that the Lord will make us worthy of His call through our experiences with Him who draws near us. I pray that he, who does not hold our sins against us but is full of love and forgiveness, will take pity on our world and all those who are tainted in sin and don’t believe in Him. May everyone come to the knowledge of the truth (1Tim.2:4) and of the one true God, that the name of the Lord will be glorified by all forever. Amen. God bless you.