Sin and Liberation!

Tuesday, November 19, 2024

Rv 3:1-6, 14-22; Lk 19:1-10

Today’s Gospel highlights the effect of sin and the fruit of conversion. 

The life of Zacchaeus, the chief tax collector, becomes both the example of the corrupting power of sin and the liberating power of conversion. 

Zacchaeus was wealthy and had everything that would make him happy. But he was not. The sin that corroded his soul in fact dwarfed him. That is why he was short in stature. 

The disabling effect of the sin of Zacchaeus was such that the wealthy man could not enjoy real communion and friendship with the people of his community, most of whom he defrauded. 

That is why, when his moment of conversion comes, he aims at repairing the relationship with his neighbors.

Having suffered from the weight of his sin, Zacchaeus aims at whatever he needs to set right. 

Thus, for the first time, Zacchaeus prizes people over money. That is the moment the tax collector is transformed into the people collector. 

When Jesus looks at him, Zacchaeus also learns to look at people. 

It is true that before his conversion, Zacchaeus was short in stature, but after his conversion, he was short ‘only’ in stature. 

While his stature may symbolize his sinfulness, his confession points to his liberation. 

With Zacchaeus, we discover that when we let Jesus into our lives, everything will change for the better. 

Let us pray that we may overcome our sinful past by letting Jesus into our hearts just as Zacchaeus did. 

Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar