Tuesday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time

Cycle 1 is used in odd numbered years and Cycle 2 is used in even numbered years. The gospel is the same for both years.

• First Reading (Cycle 1) - 2 Maccabees 6:18-31: Elderly scribe Eleazar chooses death over defiling himself with pork, rejecting pretense for integrity. His martyrdom stands as a testament to courage and devotion to God's laws.
• First Reading (Cycle 2) - Revelation 3:1-6, 14-22: To Sardis: Though reputedly alive, they are spiritually dead and must repent. A few worthy will be acknowledged in heaven. To Laodicea: Criticized for lukewarm faith, urged to seek true spiritual richness.
• Responsorial Psalm (Cycle 1) - Psalm 3: Despite numerous adversaries doubting my salvation, the Lord is my shield and glory, answering my calls and sustaining me against overwhelming odds.
• Responsorial Psalm (Cycle 2) - Psalm 15: The righteous one acts justly, speaks truthfully, harms no one, honors God-fearers, avoids corruption, and will remain unshaken in his integrity.
• Gospel - Luke 19:1-10: Zacchaeus, a short, wealthy tax collector, climbed a sycamore tree to see Jesus in Jericho. Jesus called him down, declaring He would stay at his house, which delighted Zacchaeus but caused others to grumble. Responding, Zacchaeus vowed to give half his wealth to the poor and repay fourfold any extortion. Jesus proclaimed salvation upon Zacchaeus' house, affirming His mission to save the lost.

Today salvation has come to this house because this man too is a descendant of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost.

Luke 19:9-10

• Seeking and Responding to Jesus: Zacchaeus’ effort to see Jesus, climbing a tree despite his status, exemplifies active seeking of a relationship with Christ. This theme highlights the importance of personal initiative in seeking a deeper connection with Jesus.
• Jesus’ Initiative in Salvation: Jesus takes the initiative to call Zacchaeus, demonstrating that God actively seeks out individuals for salvation. This reinforces the understanding that salvation begins with God’s movement towards humanity.
• Transformation Through Encounter with Jesus: Zacchaeus’ immediate response to Jesus’ invitation, both in hospitality and in repentance, signifies the transformative impact of encountering Jesus. It suggests that a true encounter with Christ leads to a change of heart and actions.
• Inclusivity of God’s Grace: Jesus’ willingness to associate with Zacchaeus, a tax collector and a sinner in the eyes of many, underscores the inclusivity of God's grace. It teaches that God’s love and salvation are available to all, irrespective of their past.
• Salvation as a Present Reality: Jesus’ declaration that “today salvation has come to this house” emphasizes the immediacy of salvation. It portrays salvation as a present, ongoing reality that transforms lives.

In the gospel for Tuesday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time, Luke 19:1-10, we encounter the story of Zacchaeus, a man whose determination to see Jesus led him to climb a tree. Zacchaeus, a tax collector and thus a figure of disdain in Jewish society, is driven by a profound desire to see Jesus, a desire that overshadows his social status and personal shortcomings.

This act of climbing the tree is symbolic of his willingness to rise above the earthly confines of his life, marked by greed and exclusion, to seek a higher, spiritual vantage point. His physical elevation in the tree mirrors his spiritual elevation, as he seeks to rise above his sinful nature to catch a glimpse of the Savior.

The response of Jesus to Zacchaeus is deeply telling. Jesus, aware of Zacchaeus's presence and his eagerness, calls him down and invites himself to Zacchaeus's home. This gesture of Jesus is an embodiment of God’s grace that seeks out even those who are lost or ostracized. Zacchaeus’s encounter with Jesus leads to an immediate and profound transformation. He repents, promising to give half of his possessions to the poor and to repay anyone he has cheated four times over. This repentance is not just a verbal expression but an active commitment to restitution and a change of life. It demonstrates the power of a genuine encounter with Christ to transform hearts and lives.

Reflecting on Zacchaeus’s story prompts us to ponder our own willingness to encounter Jesus. Zacchaeus did not allow his physical limitations or social status to deter him from seeking Jesus. This poses a pertinent question for our spiritual journey: Are we willing to take chances, to go beyond our comfort zones, to encounter Christ? Zacchaeus's story challenges us to overcome our own 'short stature', be it in the form of pride, fear, sin, or complacency, that keeps us from fully seeing and experiencing Jesus in our lives.

Finally, Zacchaeus's experience is a call to all of us to embrace the transformative power of Christ's love. Just as Zacchaeus was transformed from a greedy tax collector to a generous benefactor, our encounters with Jesus have the potential to transform our lives. This transformation is not just personal but also communal, as seen in Zacchaeus's commitment to justice and generosity. As we reflect on this Gospel, let us seek to emulate Zacchaeus's eagerness to see Jesus, his humility in acknowledging his shortcomings, and his resolve to live a transformed life marked by generosity and justice.

Prayer

Jesus, help me go beyond my place of comfort to see you. Help me rid myself of the fears which keep me from following you. Amen.

Word on Fire: Immediate Grace

In Bishop Robert Barron's reflection for Tuesday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time, he emphasizes the immediacy of God's response to even the slightest signs of faith. Zacchaeus' effort to see Jesus, climbing a sycamore tree, demonstrates a profound spiritual yearning. His readiness to go to great lengths mirrors our own actions when something important is at stake, like health or employment. Jesus' invitation to Zacchaeus to come down quickly highlights the urgency of seizing moments of conversion. Barron underscores that God is always responsive and eager to engage with us when we show any interest in Him, illustrating His unconditional love.

USCCB Reflection: A Personal Adoration

In this USCCB video reflection for Tuesday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time, the story of Zacchaeus, a short man who climbed a sycamore tree to see Jesus, is highlighted. The sycamore, known for its strength and longevity, symbolizes Zacchaeus's desire to see Christ. Astonished when Jesus invites himself to Zacchaeus's home, Zacchaeus responds with generosity, pledging to give half his wealth to the poor and repay anyone he's wronged fourfold. This encounter with Jesus leads Zacchaeus to internal reflection and transformation. The reflection emphasizes the importance of adoration and contemplation in recognizing and correcting one's faults, suggesting that such introspection can lead to spiritual healing and growth.

What liturgical date is Tuesday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time?

The next date is Tuesday November 19, 2024.

What are the Mass readings for Tuesday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The Mass readings for Tuesday November 18, 2025 are:
First Reading (Cycle 1) - 2 Maccabees 6:18-31: Eleazar's Noble Stand
Responsorial Psalm (Cycle 1) - Psalm 3: God, My Protector
Gospel - Luke 19:1-10: Zacchaeus' Transformation

What are the Mass readings for Tuesday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The Mass readings for Tuesday November 19, 2024 are:
First Reading (Cycle 2) - Revelation 3:1-6, 14-22: Messages to Sardis and Laodicea
Responsorial Psalm (Cycle 2) - Psalm 15: Path of Righteousness
Gospel - Luke 19:1-10: Zacchaeus' Transformation

What does the story of Zacchaeus in the gospel for Tuesday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time teach us?

Zacchaeus' story in Luke 19:1-10 teaches the power of transformation and redemption. Despite being a tax collector and viewed negatively by society, his encounter with Jesus leads to a profound change of heart. It shows that salvation and grace are available to all, regardless of past actions, if one is willing to change and embrace Jesus' teachings.

Why did Zacchaeus climb a tree to see Jesus in the gospel for Tuesday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time?

Zacchaeus, being short, climbed a sycamore tree to overcome the crowd and see Jesus. This act in Luke 19:1-10 symbolizes both his eagerness to see Jesus and the lengths to which individuals might go to seek spiritual enlightenment or connection with the divine.

What is the reaction of others when Jesus decides to stay at Zacchaeus' house in the gospel for Tuesday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time?

Many people grumbled and were displeased when Jesus decided to stay at Zacchaeus' house, as tax collectors were often despised for their association with Roman authorities and practices of extortion. This reaction in Luke 19:1-10 highlights the societal biases and judgments of that time.

How does Zacchaeus respond to Jesus' visit in the gospel for Tuesday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time, and what does it signify?

In Luke 19:1-10, Zacchaeus responds with joy and a commitment to give half of his wealth to the poor and repay anyone he has wronged four times over. This reflects a radical change of heart, inspired by his encounter with Jesus, moving from selfishness to generosity and justice.

What does Jesus' interaction with Zacchaeus in the gospel for Tuesday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time reveal about his mission?

Jesus' interaction with Zacchaeus in Luke 19:1-10 underscores His mission to seek and save the lost. It demonstrates Jesus' focus on redemption and inclusion, extending grace and salvation even to those marginalized or disdained by society.

What is the significance of Eleazar's story in the first reading for Tuesday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

Eleazar's story in 2 Maccabees 6:18-31 is a powerful testament to faith and integrity. As an elderly scribe, he chooses martyrdom over violating God's laws by eating pork. His actions symbolize the importance of staying true to one's beliefs and values, even under extreme pressure or threat.

How does the responsorial psalm for Tuesday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 relate to the themes in the first reading and Gospel?

Psalm 3 speaks of trust in God amidst adversity, echoing the themes of faith and divine intervention seen in both the first reading and the Gospel. It reinforces the idea that God is a protector and savior, even when faced with overwhelming challenges or opposition.

What is the message to the church in Sardis in the first reading for Tuesday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The message to Sardis in Revelation 3:1-6 is a warning that, although they have a reputation for being alive, they are spiritually dead. They are called to repent and strengthen what remains. The passage implies that only a few in Sardis are spiritually alive and worthy of acknowledgment in heaven.

How does the message to Laodicea in the first reading for Tuesday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 relate to contemporary faith?

The message to Laodicea in Revelation 3:1-6 criticizes them for their lukewarm faith, neither hot nor cold. This can be related to modern-day believers who are encouraged to be earnest in their faith, seeking true spiritual richness instead of being complacent or half-hearted in their religious practice.

What qualities of the righteous are described in the responsorial psalm for Tuesday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

Psalm 15 describes the righteous as those who act justly, speak truthfully, do not harm others, honor those who fear God, keep their word, avoid corruption, and maintain their integrity. These qualities are foundational for a life pleasing to God.

How do these readings for Tuesday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 collectively speak to the theme of spiritual transformation?

The readings collectively underscore the theme of spiritual transformation. From the call for repentance in Revelation to Zacchaeus' transformation in the Gospel, they highlight the need for a genuine and fervent faith, a commitment to justice and truth, and the transformative power of an encounter with Christ.