GROUP – SEVEN

THEME: THE DAWN OF THE REJECTED STONE

Text: Lk19:1-10.
Jesus and Zaccheus
1. Life Situation
Dearly beloved in Jesus Christ, one of the most popular quotes I read and
heard a lot in my childhood is “try and try, until you succeed.” Whenever I think of
this quote, it reminds me of one of the greatest scientists and inventor of all time
namely Thomas Alva Edison who holds a world-record of 1,093 patents. Now, what
is very significant about him was his early childhood which probably we are unaware
of. You know, Edison had a massive dislike of the school and his teacher because he
was always bullied, mocked and called out in the class as “addled” which means
mentally ill or mad. In a pool of tears, he used to storm home in disguise and shame.
Finally, he was deployed and dismissed from the school. Therefore, he had very little
formal education. But he was taught reading, writing and arithmetic by his mother. He
was a very curious child and taught himself much by reading on his own. This belief
in self-improvement remained through out his entire life. This strong desire, will
power and determination changed his life and made him immortal, forever
remembered in our history as the greatest inventor and scientist.
2. Globalization
Now, dear brothers and sisters, just like Thomas Alva Edison, in our journey
of faith, in our journey of vocation, in our ministries and apostolates, in our
convictions, we too might have encountered lots of rejection, misunderstandings,
bullying, community problems, relationship problems and jealousy etc. Despite all
these odds and challenges, we need to stay strong, courageous and must have a firm
belief in God, our refuge and help. Secondly, we need to cheer up ourselves and
proceed to pursue our goals irrespective of difficulties.
3. God’s Word on reality
In the Gospel today, we see Zaccheus, a tax collector and an enemy, rejected
and hated by the people. But on hearing that Jesus was passing by, he made up his
mind to see Him. Unfortunately, he is very short in stature and moreover, there’s
mighty crowd before him. Despite all these odds and difficulties, he is fixed on his
mind to see Jesus. Therefore, he was looking for a possibility, finally he found the
sycamore tree on which he climbed and beheld His countenance. That ardent desire or
rather thirst for Jesus was never quenched despite all the struggles. Because of His
ardent desire, because of his firm determination, because of his strong and courageous
commitment to see Jesus, Jesus rewards him saying, “Zacchaeus, come down, for I
must stay in your house today…Today salvation has come to this house…” (Lk 19:9).
Similarly, we have the great personality of Joseph in the book of Genesis.
Even though he is hated, despised, rejected and was sold by his own brothers, he
never wavered in his faith and life, rather he held on to the living God of his fathers.
That’s why, God was with him and blessed him and made him successful as we read
in Gen 39:4.
 Again, in the Gospel of Mt 7:13, we read, “for the gate is narrow, road is hard
that leads to life and there are few who finds it.” Here, the importance is given neither
to the gate or door nor to the road but the those who finds namely to the people.
In spite of being short in stature and although there’s a mighty crowd,
Zaccheus took that one courageous step towards Jesus and found him. It’s same with
the Joseph of Old Testament. Thus, the Lord blessed them abundantly, brought them
his salvation and made the rejected stone as the main or corner stone. This is
precisely seen in the story of Joseph. his own brothers who sold him to the foreigners,
came to him begging for food during the great famine. Likewise, the school that
rejected Edison now proudly proclaims that he studied in their school. In simpler
words, we see the dawn or rise of the rejected stone emerging as the corner stone.
4. Consequences for daily living
Now, being inspired by these beautiful personalities, let us examine ourselves.
How strong and courageous are we in our journey of faith and vocation, in our
apostolates or in following up of our convictions? Let us look into ourselves and see –
are we running away like the rich young man in times of struggles and sufferings or
are we standing strong like our Zaccheus, Joseph or Edison?
Finally, I would like to conclude reminding you of a saying which my parents
used to say to me namely “If we take one step towards Jesus, He takes ten steps
towards us.” This is what we exactly see in the parable of the merciful father or
prodigal son.
5. Link with the Eucharist
Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, Holy Eucharist is the wonderful moment
of the experience and realization of those words Jesus said to Zacchaeus i.e. “I must
stay in your house, today salvation has come to this house.” As we continue to
celebrate this Eucharist, let us experience the coming of Jesus. As Zacchaeus
received Jesus in his home, we too open our hearts for Jesus to come in the humble
form of Bread and wine.
May the Lord bless us all, Amen.

Group Members:
Sr. Srujana SAL (BTH 2203), Bro. Valan SG (BTH 2209), Bro. Abhay
SDB (BTH2216) and Bro. Kranthi Kumar TOR (BTH 2208)