Two different men; two different lives; two different faith journeys; both, however, had one desire…that’s what our readings are about today.
First, we meet Eleazar, a good and holy man whose name means “God will help”. He is an elderly man who has aged with grace and dignity. Now he’s being forced by the oppressive King to eat pork, which the Jewish people do not do. Rather than violate the Jewish law, he chose to die a horrible death. As Eleazar met his painful death, he groaned and said: “…although I could have escaped death, I am not only enduring terrible pain in my body from this scourging but also suffering it with joy in my soul because of my devotion to him.”
Eleazar’s faith in God gave him the courage to stand firm under pressure. It was his courage that gave witness and strength to others, especially, we’re told, the youth.
Then we meet Zaccheus, the ‘vertically challenged’ despised chief tax collector who is curious about Jesus. Unable to see him in the crowd, Zaccheus climbed the tree as a curious seeker but found himself descending the tree as a changed man when he encountered Jesus personally. His heart was converted. He repented of his past dishonesty and promised generous restitution to those he had cheated. Joy came to this renewed man who was saved by Jesus, the true seeker of souls.
Like ourselves, the lives of these men remind us that faith is expressed in many different ways, but all with the goal of union with God.
- Both men faced choices that shaped their faith; so do we.
- Both men faced situations in seeking the Lord that demanded honesty and courage; so do we.
- Both men became witnesses to those around them by their actions; so do we.
Both their lives show us as well that faith means more than words. It means living with integrity, concern for others, and repentance. It also means living with joy because, in the end, Jesus has invited himself into our homes, our hearts, and promises to always be with us.
- Are we open to God’s grace daily, like Eleazar was his whole long life?
- Do we hear Jesus inviting himself into situations in our lives like Zaccheus heard when Jesus called to him by that sycamore tree?
In our own lives, may we respond to Christ’s invitation by making choices with faith, courage, integrity and grace.
