<div class=oldwebkit><p><em>Precisely because the world can seem so scary these days it feels extra vulnerable to take risks: professional or personal. Todays readings remind us though that Love is ever-present and active perhaps especially during fraught times. In fact according to our reflection it is especially during moments of vulnerability that we are likely encounter that Love which is always and already there ready and waiting to co-create with us a better Now.</em></p></div><div class=oldwebkit>&nbsp;</div><div class=oldwebkit><p><strong>October 30 2022: Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C</strong></p><p>Wisdom 11:22-12:1</p><p>Psalm 145:1-2 8-9 10-11 13 14</p><p>II Thessalonians 1:11-2.2</p><p>Luke 19:1-10</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h3>Finding God Out on a Limb</h3><p><em>A reflection by Jon Schum</em></p><p>The evangelist Luke was a consummate storyteller. Luke was likely a Hellenist convert to Judaism and may have had some philosophical insight. A physician by trade he tended the wounds of humanity. Many Lucan stories and parables center on reversals: the rich and complacent are consumed by their own greedy indifference and the poor and marginalized are esteemed and blessed. Jesus table ministry embraces those rejected or scorned by society. Those who welcome Jesus experience a profound change of heart. The poet Dante described Luke as the scribe of the gentleness of God. These themes converge in todays gospel.</p><p>Jesus did not intend to stay in Jericho but spotting the curious tax collector overhead in a tree could not resist inviting himself into the home of Zacchaeus. Although small in stature Zacchaeus would have had substantial influence and wealth. He is mentioned as chief tax collector and would have supervised the collection of taxes as well as the revenue itself. Its no secret that tax collectors were corrupt agents of Roman imperialism and disdained by the public. The Jewish people were mercilessly over-taxed and much of what was taken from them lined the streets of Rome as well as the pockets of local agents like Zacchaeus. No wonder the crowd grumbled as Jesus joined him at table.</p><p>Zacchaeus joyfully welcomes Jesus; the Greek word for his welcome carries a larger sense of hospitality which includes a meal. In response to the crowd Zacchaeus makes a single statement Look half of my possessions I (will) give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone I (will) pay them back four times as much.&nbsp;</p><p>Some commentators have considered these words in the present tense as if Zacchaeus were already performing these generous acts. But the emphasis is more likely future oriented. Zacchaeus resolves to change his greedy and unscrupulous habits. Its as if he is saying I am going to give half my possessions to the poor. Jesus declares Today salvation has come to this house. This is what it means to be a descendant of Abraham and Sarah- a true heir to the promises of God. Jesus specifies that his mission is to seek out and save what was lost.</p><p>Because of an emphasis on the second coming both letters to the Thessalonians provide appropriate texts for the last three Sundays of Ordinary Time. These are also the earliest of New Testament letters written around 51 CE. Although First Thessalonians is of genuine Pauline authorship Second Thessalonians is what scholars call pseudepigraphy that is written by someone who composes a work and assumes they are writing in the place of a famous person. We might think it deceptive but it was common in ancient times.</p><p>The Thessalonian community had been upset and deceived by a message supposedly from Paul himself that the second coming (Day of the Lord) had already come. The author urges the community to hold fast to the teaching and tradition they have received and to not be alarmed nor allow their communal life to be disrupted by false messaging. &nbsp;</p><p>The Book of Wisdom sometimes called the Wisdom of Solomon (the author adopted the persona of Solomon) is the last of the books of the Old Testament. Because it was considered a late work and not written in Hebrew it is not included in the Jewish canon of Scripture nor the Protestant canon. It was likely written by a Hellenist convert to Judaism during the first century BCE in Alexandria which had a large and robust Jewish community while being a center for Hellenistic culture and Platonic thought.</p><p>Hellenistic thought was captivating and many in the Jewish community began to embrace it. The author of the Book of Wisdom is keenly aware of this and must make a clear case for fidelity to God. The theme of this book is the universal rule of God. It depicts God as thoroughly engaged in human history and divine wisdom permeates all creation. Divine sovereignty finds expression in the righteous believer even though they live under the threat of danger and violence.&nbsp;</p><p>In the infinite mind of God the whole universe is a mere grain of sand yet the imperishable spirit of God resides in all creation and in all things.&nbsp; The word for spirit is the Greek pneuma breath. Gods breath present at the beginning of creation is ever constant channeling a new creation. God the lover of souls is patient and merciful calling all to repentance. This gentle love encountered in Jesus moves Zacchaeus to repair his ways.</p><p>Today salvation has come to this house announces Jesus.&nbsp; Jesus has become the host inviting Zacchaeus into the bond of friendship welcoming a person of questionable principles and welcoming his repentant words as well.&nbsp; Zacchaeus life radically shifts and he is invited into the real home that is the Reign of God.&nbsp; It is here that the outsider becomes insider adversaries become friends the lost are found and all are restored to their rightful place as the beloved of God.&nbsp; Zacchaeus is included among people of the blessing.</p><p>Today salvation has come to this house. These words embody the intent of Jesus and the direction of his ministry as he moves among the people on the journey to Jerusalem. In the company of Jesus Zacchaeus journeys to his own inner home and rediscovers a soulful connection to his own authentic self created in the image of the Divine Lover.&nbsp; We might liken this conversion experience to a reawakening or a coming-out experience. What was lost or hidden is uncovered and celebrated.&nbsp;</p><p>Urging the Thessalonian community to not be shaken or misled the author prays that God will bring to fulfillment every good purpose and every effort of faith. All our efforts to accomplish good are due to Gods power at work in our lives. Can we trust that the pneuma of God the Spirit of God is constantly at work generating new life new possibility and new wisdom?</p><p>Even through the reversals that amaze but sometimes shock or disillusion us?&nbsp; Can what we perceive as misfortune become a moment of unexpected grace? Can we trust the divine intent to seek out and to save what is lost? It may require that from time to time we go out on a limb.</p></div><div class=oldwebkit>&nbsp;</div><div class=oldwebkit><div class=mobile-full><img class=mobile-full src=https://www.dignityusa.org/sites/default/files/civicrm/persist/contribute/images/uploads/static/botsjonschum_b45eee370c174854689b14fa76965725.png alt= width=166 hspace=0 vspace=0></div><div class=mobile-full><p><em><strong>Jon Schum</strong>&nbsp;and his husband Ron Lacro are longtime Dignity Boston members. Jon has served on its board and liturgy committee and is one of the chapter's ordained presiders. For many years he supervised and provided arts-based therapeutic programming for an elder services agency in Boston. He is currently a co-facilitator of the Aging with Dignity caucus.</em></p></div></div><p style=text-align: center;><a class=btn btn-primary href=https://www.dignityusa.org/civicrm/mailing/subscribe>Subscribe to Breath of the Spirit</a></p>