31ST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME AND ANSWERING JESUS' INVITATION TO CONVERSION AND DISCIPLESHIP..........

On this Halloween Sunday as we prepare to celebrate the Saints of God in Glory tomorrow, and start our November Month of Remembrance of All the Holy Souls on Tuesday, we are challenged by the Sunday Scriptures to be ready for the coming of Jesus and God's Kingdom, in the spirit of Conversion and eagerness Zacheaus display's in today's Gospel Proclamation at Mass, Luke 19 : 1-10.  Zacheaus was a man with three strikes against him in the minds of the Pharisees, as he started out to see and get to know Jesus.  First, he was a tax collector, who were despised, and the Gospel tells us, Zacheaus was a chief tax collector, so likely, even more so.  Second, he was a wealthy man, which made him a lightening rod for resentment, jealousy, and covetousness on the part of those with less, especially the Pharisees.  Third, Zacheaus was a short man, and his small stature limited the respect he may have received from others, just as it definitely blocked his view of Jesus in the crowd, especially from the height of a tree.  But Zacheaus did not give up, he pushed forward and not only saw Jesus, but accepted the Christ into his house, in an invitation to him that was juxtaposed, as Jesus invited himself, while truly inviting Zacheaus to spend time with Him.  The result of this transforming experiencing of seeing, meeting, and spending, time with Jesus was that Zacheaus was converted in heart and mind, and not only became a believer in Jesus, but a much more generous man, as a disciple of Christ.  The example he set is one not lost on us as Catholic-Christian Disciples in 2010 A.D., striving to change our lives and eradicate the selfishless and limitations that otherwise we allow into the fabric of our lives.  As you go forth into the world this week, how will the example of Zacheaus, All Saints and All Souls Days, Election Day on Tuesday, and Living Your Faith throughout transform and change you into a the person among the People of God, Jesus the Christ is inviting YOU to be ??????????..........As We Serve God's Greater Glory And The Common Good,   Fr.  Troy