November 19, 2019 Tuesday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time-C

2 Maccabees 6:18-31

Psalm 3

Luke 19:1-10

“…and I will leave to the young a noble example…” 2 Macc. 6:28

“Behold, half my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor… Lk. 19:8

Lord, thank you for these two stories of the power of faith.  Eleazar and Zacchaeus both show how your grace can move us to live like we’ve been saved.   Eleazar chose to end his life as he had lived it, faithful to your law.  Zacchaeus chose to respond extravagantly to his encounter with you and repent of his sins.  Both men are examples of how faith in you can bring us salvation.  Eleazar could have “faked” his way into escaping execution and Zacchaeus could have gone back to his sleazy life of extortion.  Eleazar lived his entire life in your grace and in the end gave his life for you.  Zacchaeus just had a meal with you but he gave away his wealth for you.   He realized that he was living for material wealth and not for the wealth of faith.  After his meal with you, he was far richer than when he had climbed that tree.  Lord, give me the grace to not compromise my faith when challenged.  Keep me faithful to you until the end.  Help me to see that true wealth is not possessions or money but your love and the faith that will endure to the end.  Amen.