3 November 2013 - all things that are

3 November 2013 - all things that are

When they all saw this, they began to grumble, saying,
"He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner."
Why is this a problem for them?  Perhaps they think that Jesus should prioritize telling Zacchaeus his sins and telling him to repent.  It probably makes them uneasy that Jesus establishes a relationship of love without so much as mentioning the faults, faults which Zacchaeus himself later admits.  Isn't this exactly the type of criticism that Pope Francis also gets?  But sometimes we think ourselves above making such judgments.  We are happy to see Jesus stay with Zacchaeus.  Yet there is still something in us that prefers to make justice a prerequisite of mercy.  And the reason is simple.  Justice is easier.  It doesn't require us to be vulnerable.  It is black and white and includes a very concrete game plan. 

Indeed we fine ourselves to be part of the crowd who prevent Zacchaeus from seeing Jesus, even if unintentionally.  But Jesus knows there are those who want to see him and waits to call the sinners who climb above the crowds.  He longs to stay with them.  They aren't satisfied with the results of living in sin and Jesus knows it.  He can see that they are ready to receive him with joy if he gives them the chance.

We see sin and let our hatred of it keep distance between us and people God loves.  But God loves sinners even while they sin.  He sustains them with his "imperishable spirit" even while they are yet sinners (cf. Rom. 5:8). 

For you love all things that are
and loathe nothing that you have made;
for what you hated, you would not have fashioned.

His priority is love, justice follows after.  That is why he is willing to "rebuke offenders little by little" rather than all at once.  Without exception we all need his help to be made "worthy of his calling" that Jesus may:

powerfully bring to fulfillment every good purpose and every effort of faith, that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you and you in him

Ultimately, we don't deserve to have Jesus come under our roof.  No one does.  But still Jesus says to us, "I must stay at your house."  He says must.  We need to let our barriers fall so that Jesus can enter every house he wants to enter.  Justice is not neglected.  Neither does it predominate.  In fact, something much better than mere justice eventually results:

"Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor,
and if I have extorted anything from anyone
I shall repay it four times over."
This is what it means for salvation to come to our houses.  The Son of Man has little interest in the actual possessions and money.  Those things will be accounted for, but his purpose is "to seek and to save what was lost."

Watching Jesus bring salvation to the house of Zacchaeus we recognize the truth of the words of the psalmist:

The LORD is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and of great kindness.
The LORD is good to all
and compassionate toward all his works.