Tuesday 15 November

2 Macc. 6: 18-31, Ps. 3, Luke 19: 1-10

Radical Conversion

Jericho was an extremely wealthy town. As a senior tax collector there, Zacchaeus is deeply implicated in support for those oppressing his people and ideally placed to enrich himself. Nevertheless, Jesus brings salvation to Zacchaeus, as he just had to the blind beggar. The response of Zacchaeus is radical. He promises to give half his property to the poor and to compensate anyone he has cheated – surely a large group – fourfold. The story of Zacchaeus challenges us not to view salvation as a purely personal domestic issue. What changes does Jesus call us to in the social and economic spheres?