Little People Big World is a TV reality show that, I must admit, I enjoy. The show documents the life of the Roloff family. Both the mother and father are “little people” as is one of their sons. The other three children are what we call normal size. The show highlights the amazing accomplishments of the family who have overcome in many ways the disadvantages of being “little.” Without missing a beat, Matt and Amy Roloff raise their family, oversee their 34 acre farm and work in numerous charitable causes. I’m always amazed at how the tallest son is always helping his brother and parents if they can’t see over the crowd or need help in any physical endeavor.
Perhaps we all can remember what it is like in being short. When the passing Mardi Gras parades go by we see parents lifting children on shoulders and others use ladders so all can see.
As people of faith, what makes us short and prevents us from seeing Jesus? Does our shortness make us lost or do we seek Him who came to save us?
Today’s Gospel from St. Luke gives us another detour to Jericho, one of the wealthiest and important towns of its’ day. Because of this it became a haven for taxes. You think we have tax problems today? The citizens of Jericho paid high taxes and the tax collector was far from being respected. As Jesus passed through Jericho the crowds gathered to see him and so too did Zacchaeus, the short little tax collector. The crowd, who despised Zacchaeus was not going to make it easy for him and probably reveled in pushing further and further to the back of the crowd. Yet Zacchaeus desired to see Jesus to the point of climbing that sycamore tree. Perhaps deep down, Zacchaeus knew he was a sinner and in need of spiritual renewal. Perhaps the mere presence of Jesus was a sign to Zacchaeus that I must reform my life. Zacchaeus sought Jesus but the Gospel tells us that Jesus sought Zacchaeus too. As Jesus ordered him down from that tree and invited himself to his house what must he have thought? What was going on in the minds of the crowd? We hear that all complained about Jesus’ actions because He would be visiting with a sinner. And in his own way, Zacchaeus repents and offers to do penance and Jesus tells him that salvation has come to this house. Jesus clearly teaches all; He has come to save the lost.
This Gospel is such a beautiful lesson in describing the Sacrament of Reconciliation as well as its Eucharistic overtones. Many times we hear of those who return to the confessional after 5, 10, 25 years. Like Zacchaeus something, more correctly someone, compels us to seek Him. And then we realize, despite our absence, despite our sinfulness, Jesus is always seeking us. And we, once our sins are confessed, like Zacchaeus, are called to do penance. How do we approach penance? Is it a burden or a joy? Notice how Zacchaeus readily and joyfully offers his penance.
This passage is Eucharistic in the fact that Jesus calls Zacchaeus to stay under his roof and presumably, to share a meal. We gather together under one roof, to share a meal with Jesus. Our meal is Jesus, the Eucharistic banquet that Jesus commands us to partake of. Before we receive Jesus in Holy Communion we now say, Lord I am not worthy; soon, in the new translation of the Mass, we will say in our own language what we always said in the Latin: Lord I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed. And these words come straight from Scripture as well when another, a centurion, sought Jesus.
So this week we go forth from our time with Jesus and pledge to give the whole week to Him. We should ponder and pray about our own reconciliation. Do we need to return to confession? Is there something left unconfessed? Is there a penance that I must do with joy? I am truly worthy to allow Jesus to come under my roof?
The Roloff family never lets their short stature prevent them from accomplishing great things. In many ways, they stand tall among many. Zacchaeus too could not be prevented from seeking and seeing Jesus. May we never allow our own shortness prevent us from seeking Jesus too! May salvation come to this house; our house!
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