💖 HOMILY - NOVEMBER 19 💖

First Reading - Apocalypse 3:1-6,14-22 

Gospel - Luke 19:1-10

Faithfulness to God is a journey, often marked by failures and second chances. But the beauty of our relationship with God lies in His boundless mercy and the opportunities He gives us to return to Him. As Oscar Wilde said, “Every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future.” This truth resonates through today’s readings, which inspire us to embrace faithfulness, reject compromise, and trust in God’s redeeming love.

In the first reading from Revelation, the churches of Sardis and Laodicea are admonished for their lukewarm faith and spiritual complacency. God demands more than half-hearted devotion; He calls for unwavering faithfulness. The passage serves as a reminder that God does not tolerate mediocrity in our spiritual lives. He desires a fervent commitment to Him, urging us to reignite our faith whenever it begins to waver. The warning is clear: laxity in faith can lead us away from God, but returning to Him with a sincere heart renews our relationship with Him.

The Gospel narrates the transformative encounter between Jesus and Zacchaeus, a tax collector despised for his dishonest dealings. Zacchaeus, despite his wealth and social standing, longed for something greater—an encounter with Jesus. His simple act of climbing a tree to see Jesus demonstrates his desire and humility. Jesus, in turn, recognizes this longing and extends His love and acceptance. This unexpected gesture from Jesus changes Zacchaeus’s life. He repents, promises restitution, and embraces a life of faithfulness. Zacchaeus’s story shows us that no sin is too great and no sinner too far gone for God’s mercy.

Dear friends, the story of Zacchaeus invites us to reflect on our own lives. How often do we judge others by their sins rather than seeing their potential for repentance and transformation? Jesus teaches us to approach others with love, compassion, and acceptance, for it is through these that hearts are won over to God. Just as Zacchaeus was transformed by the love of Christ, we too can be instruments of God’s mercy, leading others back to Him.

Moreover, Zacchaeus’s transformation reminds us that God values our desire to change more than our past mistakes. A repentant heart is the key that unlocks the door to salvation. God is always ready to welcome us, no matter how far we may have strayed. The moment we turn back to Him, His grace begins to work in us, leading us to a life of faithfulness and joy.

The first reading challenges us to examine our own faith. Are we fully committed, or have we become lukewarm in our relationship with God? Faithfulness requires vigilance, effort, and the willingness to remove anything that hinders our devotion to Him. Compromises, excuses, and spiritual laziness can slowly pull us away from God, but faithfulness in small responsibilities nurtures our faithfulness to Him. 

Let us strive to remain faithful to God in every aspect of our lives. May we never grow weary in seeking His mercy and never hesitate to extend His love and acceptance to others. And may we remember that faithfulness is not a one-time act but a lifelong journey of trust, repentance, and renewal.

May God strengthen us in our resolve to be faithful and guide us toward the fullness of His love and grace.