Encounter With Jesus Changes Life

 

Do not be conformed to this world (Rom. 12:2).

Reflection on Today’s Readings, Tuesday of 33rd Week in Ordinary Time, Year I, and the Presentation of the Virgin Mary, November 21st, 2023
Texts: 2 Maccabees 6:18-31; Psalm 3:2-7; Luke 19:1-10 

The gospel reading of today is the story of how Zacchaeus encountered Jesus Christ. The story reveals that encounter with Jesus Christ is transforming. Encounter with Jesus changes life. When Zacchaeus met Christ his orientation and life changed. He said, “Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have defrauded any one of anything, I restore it fourfold." Jesus said, "Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man came to seek and to save the lost."  

When we encounter Jesus, our faith in Him continue to dictate our lives. Life will no longer be about us but about God. It heals us of selfishness. This truth comes out clearly in today’s first reading. Eleazar chose to die rather than living life of deception. We read, “When he was about to die under the blows, he groaned aloud and said: ‘It is clear to the  Lord in his holy knowledge that, though might have been saved from death, I am enduring terrible sufferings in my body under this beating, but in my soul I am glad to suffer these things because I fear him.’" 

Memorial of the Presentation of the Virgin Mary

We celebrate today Mary’s dedication of herself to God from her childhood. This reminds us to give ourselves to God as living offerings. In the words of St. Paul: “I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Rom. 12:1-2). 

Zacchaeus and Eleazar are good examples for us, today. They gave themselves completely to God as they encountered Christ. They did not live according to the standard of the world again. Holiness and virtues were their desires.  

Prayer  

As we venerate the glorious memory of the most holy Virgin Mary, grant, we pray, O Lord, through her intercession, that we, too, may merit to receive from the fullness of your grace. Amen (Collect) 

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke