11.18.13

Lectio:  Lk 19.1-10                           

Meditatio: "But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, ‘Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I give to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone, I shall repay it four times over’.” Lk 19.8
           
Oratio: O God, You know how difficult it is for those who are rich to enter the kingdom because their riches become their gods.

I remember the encounter of the wealthy Zacchaeus with Jesus and his reaction shows the right attitude towards riches for he would use half of it to benefit the poor and to repay and make up for any ill-gotten riches.

Grant that I may see all things as gifts from You and to use them to as aids to help me and others in our journey back to You and for the grace to see all riches as means and not ends so that You will always be paramount in my life.

I ask this and all things in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You
and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: spend some time in silence and meditate on the selected passage and hear what
God is saying to you.

Operatio: reflect: "give ...poor...extorted...repay"; generosity towards the poor; justice towards those to whom we have been unjust; riches are to be seen as means and not ends for us; in prayer seek the grace to use my possessions for my needs, the needs of others and for the mission of the church.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 19.11-28