November 20, 2007
Tuesday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time
Even if, for the time being, I avoid the punishment of men, I shall never, whether alive or dead, escape the hands of the Almighty. 2 Maccabees 6:26
But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone I shall repay it four times over.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house because this man too is a descendant of Abraham.” Luke 19:8-9
Jesus, how difficult it is for us in our achievement, efficiency and production-obsessed culture to rest. We refuse to rest so that we can continue to accumulate possessions. As we approach this end of the seventh year of this new millennium, give us a spirit of Jubilee regarding giving, debt and investments. Help us to give up our desire to build McMansions where bungalows once sat, wringing affordable housing out of our communities. Help us to stop tracking the value of the Dow Jones Industrial Average and our retirement portfolios and instead focus on the value of meeting the human needs that surround us. Let us share the spirit of Zacchaeus and know that “one's life does not consist of possessions.” Make our approach to possessions and money a model of courage in a sea of affluence so we can be an example not only for the young but for the whole community. Amen.
Studyhttp://www.usccb.org/nab/112007.shtml
Just two weeks ago, this passage from Luke was our Sunday Gospel reading. Yet the message is so important, that the Church brings it to us again so we can learn some more by continuing to reflect on its message.
Jesus again invites us to “Come down quickly” and spend some time with him so that we can better understand and live out the mission he wants us to share with Zacchaeus, the tax collector. In the sight of Jesus, he experiences a conversion from his former self. Zacchaeus is a reflection of how those who are blessed with much can achieve salvation.
As we approach the holiday season, a season marked with giving and altruism, Zacchaeus teaches us an important lesson about money and accumulation. He reflects back to us a central premise of The Lord’s Prayer. “Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.” (Matthew 6:12)
Jesus stood in opposition to the dominant economic model of his day – debt bondage as Matthew Colwell points out in his book Sabbath Economics: Household Practices. The early church lived out this ideal by sharing assets with the whole community.
However, Zacchaeus’ conversion is a sign that “thy Kingdom will come on earth.” As we download the latest share prices of our portfolio in Quicken or Microsoft Money, we must remember that “giving” not accumulating is the first and foremost act of our loving Creator.
God’s giving allows life to emerge, flourish and be sustained. But this extraordinary gift meant to be shared and circulated can quickly be mistaken for a possession to be owned. Recognizing such danger, scriptural texts like Leviticus 25 direct God’s people toward regular economic redistribution. Should an economy become polarized over time, the Jubilee directed it back towards the gift economy of God’s design. Human giving, at its best, is joyful participation in this design. It is giving done in humble recognition that all of creation is a gift to be shared and passed along. (Colwell, Sabbath Economics: Household Practices, p. 41)
In Zacchaeus’ testimony, there truly is a sense of Sabbath economics…and justice. Not only does he announce his conversion to the idea of redistribution (“Half of my possessions I will give to the poor.”), but he also commits to reparation (“…if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay it back four times.”). So Zacchaeus is giving out of both a sense of generosity as well as justice to make things right. His actions reflect back to the jubilee tradition in which those who had accumulated wealth through the indebtedness of others would literally give it back. But also, Zacchaeus commitment looks ahead to the early church.
The community of believers was of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they had everything in common. With great power the apostles bore witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great favor was accorded them all. There was no needy person among them, for those who owned property or houses would sell them, bring the proceeds of the sale, and put them at the feet of the apostles, and they were distributed to each according to need. Acts 4:32-35
Luke calls on us to share, redistribute or renounce our possessions. What plans are you making for sharing and redistributing your wealth this holiday season?
What is your history of charitable giving? How much more can you give to your church and charities this year? Can you increase your charitable giving this year by 10 percent more than you gave last year? So if you gave $7,400 to charity last year, can you increase that by another $740 to $8,140 total?
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