All are reminded that our Annual Congregational Meeting will take place following worship this Sunday. Lunch will be provided.
The Scripture Readings this week are taken from a suggestion in Discipleship Is Stewardship a United Church Stewardship Resource. They are:
- 2 Corinthians 9:1-15
- Luke 19:1-10
The Sermon title is Life Changing Thankfulness
Early Thoughts: What happens at that dinner?
There are a variety of opinions on what is happening in the story of Zacchaeus. Some ponder if he was the short one or if Jesus was so short the crowd covered him up. Some ponder why Zacchaeus was so determined to see this Jesus. And then there is the end of the story.
Is Zacchaeus professing "I am not so bad, I already do these things"? Or is he so transformed by the encounter with Jesus that he is starting a whole new way of being? I have read both interpretations but I lean to the latter,
I think we are seeing a moment of transformation, the sort of transformation that comes from having an encounter with the Living God. And as I re-read the story I think that part of that transformation is driven by gratitude.
As a tax collector Zacchaeus would be seen as an outcast by the rest of society. He was in league with those who exploited the population. There is every chance that he is rich because he is good at gaming the system and his wealth is not exactly morally acquired. By going to Zacchaeus' house for a meal (inviting himself if we want to be blunt about it) Jesus is naming Zacchaeus as a member of God's community, as a son of Abraham. I think that this being welcomed back into community opens up his heart. His response is based on gratitude for what Jesus, the Word-Made-Flesh, is proclaiming about him.
How do we respond to an encounter with the Living God? Are we filled with gratitude? Are we driven to change our lives? DO we respond with generosity? Is that what makes us a cheerful giver, giving as we have made up our mind, not regretfully or under compulsion?
--Gord
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