A Model for Right Action

Tuesday, June 12, 2007 -- Week of Proper 5
Enmegahbowh, Priest and Missionary, 1902

"Morning Reflections" is a brief thought about the scripture readings from the Daily Office of Morning and Evening Prayer according to the practice found in the Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church.

Morning Prayer begins on p. 80 of the Book of Common Prayer.
Evening Prayer begins on p. 117
An online resource for praying the Daily Office is found at www.missionstclare.com
Another form of the office from Phyllis Tickle's "Divine Hours" is available on our partner web site www.ExploreFaith.org at this location -- http://explorefaith.org/prayer/fixed/index.html


Today's Readings for the Daily Office (p. 970)
Psalms 61, 62 (morning) 68:1-20 (21-23) 24-36 (evening)
Deuteronomy 30:11-20
2 Corinthians 11:1-21a
Luke 19:1-10

There is something wonderful about how Zacchaeus responds to Jesus. Maybe he is a good model for all of us.

Let's set the stage. First -- Zacchaeus knows his "short-comings." (Bad pun.) He is a tax-collector. He knows that he is a sinner. He is outside the circle of acceptance. But he is drawn to Jesus. There is something wonderfully attractive that compels him to climb a tree in order to get a glimpse of Jesus passing by among the crowd.

We are all like Zacchaeus. We know our own short-comings. We know our failures and self-centeredness. But we are drawn to goodness and to God. We would like to be in that circle of those who know themselves to be comfortable with God, at peace with themselves and the world.

Jesus responds to Zacchaeus with an unqualified acceptance and an offer of friendship. "Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today." That is the offer and invitation Jesus gives to each of us. Jesus wishes to be with us, to eat and visit with us today.

Zacchaeus' response is a joyful one. He is so happy that he responds with an extravagant nondefensive, free generosity. He gives half his possessions to the poor and promises to return four-fold to those he has overcharged in taxation. His actions are not reluctant or forced. This is what he wants to do to make amends. It is also what he recognizes will free him from the greed and dishonesty that has previously bound and haunted him. When Jesus loves and accepts him, Zacchaeus spontaneously responds with joyful, generous gladness.

When you know you are completely loved, completely safe and completely accepted, you are free to be who you are. You can live non-defensively -- open and generous. Zacchaeus is a great model.

In some sense, Zacchaeus fulfills what the law says today in Deuteronomy. "Surely, this commandment that I am commanding you today is not too hard for you, nor is it too far away.... No, the word is very near to you; it is in your mouth and in your heart for you to observe." Zacchaeus did not have to struggle or debate to decide what to do, what was right for him. He responded to his heart's deepest direction. He knew intuitively what was good, and he chose it.

It is like that for us too. In every given moment, we can sense deep within our heart and intuition what is called for. Jean Pierre de Caussade says that each present moment carries with it the demands and opportunities of that moment. It can only be three things: 1. to do some present duty; 2. to enjoy some present joy; 3. to suffer something that is necessary. If we know ourselves to be completely loved, safe and accepted, we can be free of guilt, fear or compulsion. We can be able to choose spontaneously and generously whatever the moment brings to us. Whenever we choose that way, we are completely within the will of God, cooperating fully with what God is doing for the healing of the world. It doesn't get any better than that.

Lowell
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The Rev. Lowell Grisham
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Fayetteville, AR

The Mission of St. Paul's Episcopal Church is to explore and celebrate
God's infinite grace, acceptance, and love.

See our Web site at www.stpaulsfay.org

Our Rule of Life:
We aspire to...
worship weekly
pray daily
learn constantly
serve joyfully
live generously.