First Reading: Revelation 3:1-6, 14-22
And to the angel of the church of Sardis write: These things says He who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars: I know your works, that you have the name of being alive, and you are dead.
Be watchful and strengthen the things that remain which are ready to die. For I find not your works full before my God. Remember therefore how you have received and heard, and observe and do penance. If then you shall not watch, I will come to you as a thief and you shall not know at what hour I will come to you.
But you have a few names in Sardis who have not defiled their garments, and they shall walk with me in white, because they are worthy. He who shall overcome shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, and I will confess his name before my Father and before His angels. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
And to the angel of the church of Laodicea write: These things says the Amen, the faithful and true witness, who is the beginning of the creation of God: I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or hot. But because you are lukewarm and neither cold nor hot, I will begin to vomit you out of my mouth.
Because you say: I am rich and made wealthy and have need of nothing, and you know not that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. I counsel you to buy of me gold tried by fire that you may be made rich, and be clothed in white garments that the shame of your nakedness may not appear, and anoint your eyes with eye salve that you may see.
Those whom I love I rebuke and chastise. Be zealous therefore and do penance. Behold I stand at the door and knock. If any man shall hear my voice and open to me the door, I will come in to him and will sup with him and he with me. To him who shall overcome I will give to sit with me in my throne, as I also have overcome and am set down with my Father in His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 15:2-3a, 3bc-4ab, 5
R. I will seat the victor beside me on my throne.
Alleluia: First John 4:10b
Gospel: Luke 19:1-10
And entering He walked through Jericho. And behold there was a man named Zacchaeus who was the chief of the publicans and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus who He was, and he could not for the crowd because he was short in stature.
And running before, he climbed up into a sycamore tree that he might see Him, for He was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, looking up He saw him and said to him: Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for this day I must stay in your house.
And he made haste and came down and received Him with joy. And when all saw it, they murmured saying that He had gone to be a guest with a man who was a sinner.
But Zacchaeus standing said to the Lord: Behold, Lord, half of my goods I give to the poor, and if I have wronged any man of anything, I restore him fourfold.
Jesus said to him: This day salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Reflection
You can have the name of being alive and yet be dead inside. That is what Jesus says to Sardis. To Laodicea He says: you are lukewarm, neither cold nor hot. You say I am rich and need nothing, but you do not know you are wretched, poor, blind and naked.
But His correction is love. Those whom I love I rebuke and chastise. Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and sup with him and he with me.
Zacchaeus opens that door. He is short, rich, a chief tax collector, looked down upon. He climbs a sycamore tree just to see Jesus. Jesus looks up, calls him by name: Zacchaeus, hurry down, today I must stay in your house. He receives Him with joy, and his repentance becomes practical: half of my goods I give to the poor, and if I have wronged anyone I restore fourfold.
Today is salvation come to this house, Jesus says. That is what happens when Christ is welcomed - faith becomes truth, justice and mercy. Let Him knock and open the door.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, you know me beyond appearances. Wake up what is weak in me and save me from lukewarmness. I hear you knocking at my door - give me the humility to open it with joy like Zacchaeus. Let my repentance bear fruit in honesty, generosity and justice toward those I have harmed. Come and sup with me and make my house a place of salvation. Amen.
Readings are taken from the Douay-Rheims Bible, rendered in modern English for easy reading.
