Homily for the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time, October 30, 2022

Jericho was on the road from our Lord’s native province, Galilee, toward the city of Jerusalem. Our Lord traveled that road many times during his life, several of those as a preacher and miracle maker. We assume that Zacchaeus was not aware of those several visits, but he definitely was this time.

I went to Jericho when I visited the Holy Land five years ago. There is nothing to see in that city in regards to the Lord’s life. Tourists and pilgrims go through the city on the way toward the Dead Sea. Besides the muddy waters of the Dead Sea (on which one can float without any effort), what I remember the most is the local beer which tastes so good in one of the lowest places in the world below sea level.

In today’s gospel, Zacchaeus is the person involved in our Lord’s ministry. I would like to briefly reflect on the way Zacchaeus unconsciously prepares for the Lord’s visit. 

Zacchaeus unconsciously prepares for the Lord’s visit in the following four, but not limited, ways: first, by listening to the voice of his conscience. It is the conscience which is the first place where God warns us and reminds us of the sins we are committing, as the book of Wisdom states it in the first reading, that we may abandon our wickedness and believe in God.

Secondly, by being curious. Zacchaeus seeks to see who our Lord is. That curiosity opens his heart for the Lord’s arrival at his door. Zacchaeus also invites us to show interest in learning about the identity of our Lord. Thirdly, by his perseverance in the face of obstacles in his pursuit of learning about the Lord. Zacchaeus is not discouraged by the height of other people, and he overcomes that by climbing a tree. From Zacchaeus we may learn to work hard in overcoming obstacles of any kind in our desire to know the Lord.

Fourthly and lastly, by his desire to, at least, get a glimpse of the Lord with his own eyes. That is all he wants to have that day. The Lord generously grants that to him and much, much more. Today we have many ways to get a glimpse of the Lord, among them, prayer, the reading and meditation of the Holy Scriptures, works of mercy, and especially the holy Mass.

Let us humbly ask the Lord to grant us his grace to, like Zacchaeus, prepare for his visit.

On a different topic. On the topic of the celebration of the holy Eucharist at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton parish. Over the past few weeks, Deacon Steve has been training lay ministers for several ministries performed at Mass, such as Altar Servers, Readers, and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. He is not yet finished. We would like to also train Ushers and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion to the Sick and homebound.

We are introducing some changes in the mechanics of the ministries during Mass. Some of the changes have been implemented immediately, although most of the changes will take effect on the first Sunday of Advent, on the weekend of November 26th/27th.

The famous American monk and spiritual master Thomas Merton once defined the Mass as a ballet. A ballet is an artistic dance using precise steps and gestures. We all are the dancers, we the ordained ministers, liturgical ministers and you, the assembly. We are trying to improve our liturgical artistic dance which is our beautiful Mass.

The ministry of Ushers will help us achieve this task. Please, consider volunteering for this important ministry. Sign-up sheets are located in the gathering space or contact Beth O’Leary to learn more about this exciting ministry opportunity. Please keep in mind the we are still in need of additional Altar Servers for all of the Masses. If you have children, please, consider talking to your children about participating in this special ministry where your child will have the privilege to help serve at the altar.