St. Elizabeth of Hungary, religious 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊

Revelation 3:1-6, 14-22*

Write this to the angel of the Church in Sardis,

“Thus says he who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars: I know your worth: you think you live but you are dead. Wake up and strengthen that which is not already dead. For I have found your works to be imperfect in the sight of my God. Remember what you were taught; keep it and change your ways.

If you do not repent I will come upon you like a thief at an hour you least expect.  Yet, there are some left in Sardis who have not soiled their robes; these will come with me, dressed in white, since they deserve it.

 The victor will be dressed in white and I will never erase his name from the book of life; instead, I will acknowledge it before my Father and his angels.  Let anyone who has ears listen to what the Spirit says to the Churches.”

 Write this to the angel of the Church in Laodicea, “Thus says the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation: I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were cold or hot! You are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold so I will spit you out of my mouth.

You think you are rich and have piled up so much that you need nothing, but you do not realize that you are wretched and to be pitied, poor, blind and naked.  I advise you to buy from me gold that has been tested by fire, so that you may be rich, and white clothes to wear so that your nakedness may not shame you, and ointment for your eyes that you may see. I rep­rimand and correct all those I love. Be earnest and change your ways.

 Look, I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my call and open the door, I will come in to you and have sup­per with you, and you with me. I will let the victor sit with me on my throne just as I was victorious and took my place with my Father on his throne. Let any­one who has ears listen to what the Spirit says to the Churches.”

 

Ps 15:2-3a, 3bc-4ab, 5

I will seat the victor beside me on my throne.

 

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊

Luke 18:35-43

When Jesus drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the road, begging.   As he heard the crowd passing by, he inquired what it was,   and they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was going by.

Then he cried out,  “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”   The people in front scolded him, “Be quiet!” but he cried out all the more, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Jesus stopped and ordered the blind man to be brought to him, and when he came near, he asked him,   “What do you want me to do for you?” And the man said, “Lord, that I may see!”   

Jesus said, “Receive your sight, your faith has saved you.”   At once the blind man was able to see, and he followed Jesus, giving praise to God. And all the people who were there also praised God.

 

Gospel Reflection：

“Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for today I must (dei) stay at your house”(v. 5b). In Luke 10, Jesus sent the disciples on an evangelistic mission. Now he conducts a personal mission.

Jesus conveys a divine purpose when he says that he “must” (dei – “it is necessary”) stay at Zacchaeus’ house. He must do so “today,”conveying a sense of urgency. Jesus did not come to Jericho by happenstance. He came to save Zacchaeus.

Those who emphasize that a sinner must observe certain “steps” to win salvation should note that Zacchaeus “does not beg Jesus for mercy ….. or express any sorrow. Jesus makes no reference to Zacchaeus’ faith…., repentance or conversion…., or discipleship”.

Jesus initiates the action without any prompting from Zacchaeus. However, we should also note that Zacchaeus obeys Jesus’ command to “hurry and come down” from the tree. The result would be quite different if Zacchaeus failed to respond to Jesus’ invitation.