Homily for Tuesday, Week 33 of Ordinary Time

Homily for Tuesday
33d Week of Ordinary Time

Nov. 18, 2025
Luke 19: 1-10
Christian Brothers, St. Joseph Residence, N.R.

Zacchaeus (Niels Larsen Stevns, public domain) 

Zacchaeus’s story is one of the most appealing in the Gospels.

It’s appealing because Jesus recognizes this man Zacchaeus individually.  He issues a personal call to him.  It’s indicative of the personal relationship the Lord wants to have with each of us.  Who doesn’t want to be recognized by Jesus and accepted by him as the unique person each of us is?  Who doesn’t want a personal invitation to dine with Jesus at the heavenly banquet?

It’s appealing because Jesus immediately accepts Zacchaeus’s conversion and acts of repentance.  Whatever his past sins may have been—maybe he did really extort someone (19:8)—Jesus accepts him now:  “Today salvation has come to this house” (19:9).  That same acceptance and gift of salvation is ours whenever we seek Jesus (cf. 19:3).  I don’t know about you, brothers, but there’s plenty in my past I wish I’d have done or said differently—sins or just foolishness.  No matter.  Jesus receives all who come to him.  He’s “come to seek and to save what was lost” (19:10).