[Invited all the kids wearing Halloween Costumes to come forward and sit on the steps of the Sanctuary. I identify the various types of costumes . . . e.g. Superheroes, Villains, Cartoon characters, etc.]
It is fun to dress up and pretend to be something else isn’t it? But no matter what kind of mask we put on Jesus can always see through our pretense and see us as we are. Like the man in the gospel named Zacchaeus. Other people saw him as a crook. He was a tax collector, which means that he collected taxes for the government.
Here is how taxes worked. The government set a certain price that each person had to pay [indicated a width of my hands] and remember that there is no Post Office so the money was collected door to door. Tax collectors made their income by charging a bit more than what the government expected. [Indicate a slightly wider width of between my hands]. Often tax collectors would charge people an even larger sum [Spread my hands real wide], which is how they got the reputation of being corrupt . . . or as the gospel said “a sinner.”
Well Jesus sees through the outward appearance of Zacchaeus. The gospel even mentions that Zacchaeus was a short man, which is odd for the gospels don’t usually comment on anyone’s appearance (e.g. short, or fat, or tall, etc.) It is as if to point out that Jesus sees through all the outward signs that many of us get stuck on. For example, we too often notice when someone’s skin is a different color, or if they have a handicap, or if they have a unique physical trait (like being tall or skinny). Jesus doesn’t get stuck there. Jesus sees through all those external things . . . and sees us as we really are: beloved, wonderful, excellent people.
Jesus wants to share meal with Zacchaeus (which is a real intimate gesture, for we usually eat with those we care for and love), so Jesus wants to share a meal with us at the Eucharist. This meal becomes an affirmation of how much God sees us truly as we are . . . and God says, “I love you.”
Zacchaeus realizes that he could become a better person. That is, Jesus’s love for him (beyond whatever he has done, or looks like) moves him to announce, “If I have done anything wrong, I want to apologize and make up for it.” Wow, you have to imagine how powerful that would have been! Zacchaeus wants to change because he is truly loved for who he is. It is as if Jesus is saying, “Zacchaeus, I see the REAL YOU no matter what kind of costume or disguise you put on. I know that you are good. I love you.”
It is that same kind of love that Jesus gives each of us. Hopefully this love motivates us to want to be better. [Elicit ideas from the kids on how we could all become better . . . for example, be nicer to siblings, obey parents, etc.]
Paul said in the second reading today, “may God bring to fulfillment (in you) every good purpose and every effort of faith so that Jesus may shine forth from you.” Because your real self behind any mask or sins . . . is the presence of Christ!