Today we hear the familiar story of Zacchaeus, the short, chief tax collector who climbs the tree to see Jesus. What made him do that? In Jesus’ time, a tax collector was a despised Roman collaborator as the Romans were an occupying force and wanted funds from the provinces to fuel their conquering wars. Jesus sees him in the tree and tells him to come down, and that He will stay at Zaccheaus’ house. In the face of the Lord’s acceptance and love, Zacchaeus has a change of heart and is saved. Jesus reminds the people that “the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost.” So, what is worth seeking and saving?
I was sent an interesting email from a Sacred Heart classmate the back in the day—and in light of this weekend’s readings I thought it would be interesting to share it again. It was entitled: “The Paradox of Our Time” and when I read the story of Zacchaeus, it seemed to me that some things had been lost by us, too (outlined in the article)—and that with Jesus’ eyes we need to look at the world differently and do some saving for ourselves.
Here it is: The Paradox of Our Time in history is that we have taller buildings, but shorter tempers; wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less; we buy more, but enjoy it less. We have bigger houses and smaller families; more conveniences, but less time; we have more degrees, but less sense; more knowledge, but less judgment; more experts, but more problems; more medicine, but less wellness.
We drink too much, smoke too much, gamble and spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry too quickly, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too seldom, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often. We've learned how to make a living, but not a life; we've added years to life, but not life to our years. We've been all the way to the moon and back but have trouble crossing the street to meet the new neighbor. We've conquered outer space, but not inner space.
We've done larger things, but not better things. We work at cleaning up the air, but we pollute the soul. We've split the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more but learn less. We plan more but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We have computers to hold more information, but don’t take the time to understand. We spend time on facebook, we snap chat, tic tok, text, tweet and instagram, but we have less real, and more meaningful communication with each other.
These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion; tall men, and short character; steep profits, and shallow relationships. These are the times we call for world peace, but have domestic warfare; more leisure opportunities, but less fun; more kinds of food, but less nutrition. These are days of two incomes, but more divorce; of fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throw-away morality, one-night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to diet, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is so much in the show window and nothing in the stockroom.
So, what is the answer to this articles’ paradox of our times? Maybe, like Zaccheaus, we need to look closely at what is right in front of us in order to seek righteousness and be saved. How about slowing down and praying for discernment, understanding, compassion and tolerance. How about enjoying a meal together, get off of our phones, no television running, and actual sharing of conversation? Maybe like Zaccheus, we all should climb a tree in order to see what we really need to seek and what to save.
Keep singing!
Elizabeth Dyc
Just a Note: Hello Faith Formation Families! (And other children’s parents!)
I spoke with most of you at the last Faith Formation weekend about signing your children up for the St. Aidan Youth Choir. I will need to hear from you in order to have our materials ready for the rehearsal and the Mass at which they will be singing. Our next rehearsal is scheduled for November 11, Thursday at 5:00pm. Please let me know if your child will be attending. If we have enough participants we will proceed with the Youth Choir. I hope that your children in joining this choir will gain the understanding of what a joy it is to serve in a ministry. Please "RSVP" for your children at: [email protected].
Thank you so much!
I was sent an interesting email from a Sacred Heart classmate the back in the day—and in light of this weekend’s readings I thought it would be interesting to share it again. It was entitled: “The Paradox of Our Time” and when I read the story of Zacchaeus, it seemed to me that some things had been lost by us, too (outlined in the article)—and that with Jesus’ eyes we need to look at the world differently and do some saving for ourselves.
Here it is: The Paradox of Our Time in history is that we have taller buildings, but shorter tempers; wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less; we buy more, but enjoy it less. We have bigger houses and smaller families; more conveniences, but less time; we have more degrees, but less sense; more knowledge, but less judgment; more experts, but more problems; more medicine, but less wellness.
We drink too much, smoke too much, gamble and spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry too quickly, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too seldom, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often. We've learned how to make a living, but not a life; we've added years to life, but not life to our years. We've been all the way to the moon and back but have trouble crossing the street to meet the new neighbor. We've conquered outer space, but not inner space.
We've done larger things, but not better things. We work at cleaning up the air, but we pollute the soul. We've split the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more but learn less. We plan more but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We have computers to hold more information, but don’t take the time to understand. We spend time on facebook, we snap chat, tic tok, text, tweet and instagram, but we have less real, and more meaningful communication with each other.
These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion; tall men, and short character; steep profits, and shallow relationships. These are the times we call for world peace, but have domestic warfare; more leisure opportunities, but less fun; more kinds of food, but less nutrition. These are days of two incomes, but more divorce; of fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throw-away morality, one-night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to diet, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is so much in the show window and nothing in the stockroom.
So, what is the answer to this articles’ paradox of our times? Maybe, like Zaccheaus, we need to look closely at what is right in front of us in order to seek righteousness and be saved. How about slowing down and praying for discernment, understanding, compassion and tolerance. How about enjoying a meal together, get off of our phones, no television running, and actual sharing of conversation? Maybe like Zaccheus, we all should climb a tree in order to see what we really need to seek and what to save.
Keep singing!
Elizabeth Dyc
Just a Note: Hello Faith Formation Families! (And other children’s parents!)
I spoke with most of you at the last Faith Formation weekend about signing your children up for the St. Aidan Youth Choir. I will need to hear from you in order to have our materials ready for the rehearsal and the Mass at which they will be singing. Our next rehearsal is scheduled for November 11, Thursday at 5:00pm. Please let me know if your child will be attending. If we have enough participants we will proceed with the Youth Choir. I hope that your children in joining this choir will gain the understanding of what a joy it is to serve in a ministry. Please "RSVP" for your children at: [email protected].
Thank you so much!
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