Bible
Study: Revelations 3, 1 to 6 and 14 to 22. Luke 19, 1
to 10.
Sharing a
meal with someone goes beyond merely filling one’s stomach with food. To eat on
the same table or from the same plate with a person is deeply spiritual act; it
is a form of bonding. As our people say; “Only a child who washes his hands
clean can eat with the elders.” This saying is deep. It shows that it is not
everyone and not any type of person you can invite over for a meal or afford to
eat with.
To be
invited for a meal is a sign of respect, honour and love. All over the world, it
is a given that when a prospective husband wants to propose to his spouse, he
asks her to share a meal with him. The case of Zacchaeus in today’s Gospel
passage is one clear example of how a simple meal can change a person’s life. All
that Jesus needed to do to make Zacchaeus repent was to ask him to provide
lunch at his house.
Just as a
man would get on his kneels to propose to his spouse at table, we see Zacchaeus
overwhelmed with joy and the feeling of honour declare: “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.” Wow! Indeed, a lot of miracles
happen at table.
Again, it
is interesting to note that it was Jesus who invited Zaccheaus for a meal.
Zaccheaus on his own did not have the boldness to walk up to Jesus to invite
him to his house. It is even more interesting to note that just as Jesus asked
Zaccheaus to prepare lunch for him, Jesus has extended this invitation to every
one of us. As we hear in today’s first reading, Jesus is saying:
“Behold I
stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, then
I will enter his house and DINE with him, and he with me. I will give the
victor the right to sit on my throne, as I myself first won the victory and sit
with my Father on his throne.”
Dear friends,
let us open the doors of our hearts to Jesus. Let us prepare the best meal ever
for him; the meal of our goodness; the sumptuous meal of our fidelity to his
commandments; the sweet aroma of our shining example. Jesus would be glad to
have a date with you. Please don’t keep him outside.
Let us Pray: Lord Jesus, I love you, come in and eat with me. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have
Faith. It is well with you. God bless you.
Fr. Abu
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