Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lk 19:1-10
October 30, 2022

The most recent postings on the web page for NASA include beautiful images of a spectacular phenomenon that has been given the name PILLARS OF CREATION.

The James Webb Space Telescope has transmitted these fresh and highly detailed pictures of this region in the Galaxy that was first “discovered” back in 1995 by the Hubble Space Telescope. What we see in these new pictures are the same columns of gas and dust but with much more detail and clarity. Scientists tell us that what we are looking at is the place where, over the course of millions of years, new stars form and then “burst” out into the universe. All of this has excited and energized the scientific community, which continues its efforts to explore the secrets of the Universe.

NASA is a bit like Zacchaeus in that it is climbing higher and higher to get an even better view…and to gather knowledge!

Curiosity motivated the little tax collector from Jericho to climb a tree. Just the same with scientists. Driven by the desire to solve mysteries and discover new things, they are developing technologies that will give them an even better view. It does seem likely, however, that, for scientists, there is also the hope of rewards…fame and fortune. Zacchaeus, on the other hand, already a wealthy man, appears to have been seeking “spiritual enrichment” for its own sake.

Whatever the motivation, God is eager to oblige worthy seekers. Through Jesus, Zacchaeus’ thirst for “spiritual enrichment” was satisfied as he hosted the Lord as an overnight guest. Although many involved in scientific ventures are unaware or deny it, or would even aggressively deny it, The Holy Spirit gifts these seekers with the skills and abilities that they need to progress in their work.

God does not keep secrets!

In fact, it might help the scientific community to better understand what it is they are celebrating when an intergalactic telescope transmits some new image.

Our First Reading from the Book of Wisdom offers insights that are missing from even the most advanced analysis of new data. The Creator calls all things into being out of love. God treasures every atom, every particle, every speck of star dust…and everything has a purpose in God’s Eternal plan. God’s plan is to preserve and to build, certainly not to tear down and destroy.

One thing revealed in Scripture that science has come to accept is that God works very slowly and patiently…over the course of multiple millions of years. Nowhere is God’s patience more evident than with doubters and sinners. Eventually, in God’s time, even those explorers most blind to God’s fingerprints on all things, will come to understand. That is God’s plan.

For those of us who do believe, especially during these times of so much turmoil, destruction, tearing down, and catastrophic events…the Second Reading is worth…a second reading!

St. Paul’s words of encouragement to the Thessalonians are especially important for us to hear today. As the scientific community goes about its work, the work of the Christian community is simply to give witness to what has already been revealed by God. Believers are encouraged to wait patiently for God’s plan to come to fulfillment. Disciples are called to live The Gospel while we wait.

Which brings us to this week’s Gospel.

There is something almost amusing about Zacchaeus. But his desire to learn is most serious. Also serious is the lesson to be learned from his efforts to “catch a glimpse” of Jesus. The unobstructed view he sought in the limbs of a tree earned for him the most intimate experience of The Lord…WHO SPENT THE NIGHT IN HIS HOME!

That same intimate experience is available to everyone who simply sits in the quiet of their home with Sacred Scripture. The mysteries of the universe will be open to those who seek with a sincere heart. There is no need to climb a tree. All we need do is to open “THE BOOK!”

And then…to live what we read.
When we do that, we become living PILLARS OF CREATION…our faith, hope, and love bursting out into the world around us…and shining like new stars. Those looking on do not need a high-powered telescope to see that they are looking at God’s handiwork. They see, with detail and clarity, what God intends for all humankind…PEACE! Through the faithful, others become excited and energized…and are enlightened.

And so, The Creator’s plan to “build” continues…through sincere seekers…people of good will…very, very slowly until the Day of the Lord!