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| PATHWALK CONSTRUCTION November 20, 2022 |
And Jesus said to him,
“Today salvation has come to this house
because this man too is a descendant of Abraham.
For the Son of Man has come
to seek and to save what was lost.”
LUKE 19:9-10
Jesus Christ came to earth to offer Himself in the place of sinners and save them from the penalty they deserve. This phrase is from Luke 19:10, where Jesus says it after meeting Zacchaeus, a tax collector who repented and turned to God. It signifies that Jesus came to seek and save all those who are lost and in need of redemption.
At that time Jesus came to Jericho and intended to pass through the town. Now a man there named Zacchaeus, who was a chief tax collector and also a wealthy man, was seeking to see who Jesus was; but he could not see him because of the crowd, for he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus, who was about to pass that way. When he reached the place, Jesus looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house.” And he came down quickly and received him with joy. When they all saw this, they began to grumble, saying, “He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner.” But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone I shall repay it four times over.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house because this man too is a descendant of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost.” (Luke 19:1-10)
Christ’s mission was one of compassion, grace, and salvation for those who were spiritually lost. His purpose was to seek out and redeem those who were separated from God, offering hope and forgiveness to all who would turn to Him.
Your words echo with courage, a resolute determination to uphold honor and righteousness. The path you tread is one of self-sacrifice, leaving behind a legacy etched in valor and devotion.
Eleazar, one of the foremost scribes, a man of advanced age and noble appearance, was being forced to open his mouth to eat pork. But preferring a glorious death to a life of defilement, he spat out the meat, and went forward of his own accord to the instrument of torture, as people ought to do who have the courage to reject the food which it is unlawful to taste even for love of life. Those in charge of that unlawful ritual meal took the man aside privately, because of their long acquaintance with him, and urged him to bring meat of his own providing, such as he could legitimately eat, and to pretend to be eating some of the meat of the sacrifice prescribed by the king; in this way he would escape the death penalty, and be treated kindly because of their old friendship with him. But Eleazar made up his mind in a noble manner, worthy of his years, the dignity of his advanced age, the merited distinction of his gray hair, and of the admirable life he had lived from childhood; and so he declared that above all he would be loyal to the holy laws given by God. He told them to send him at once to the abode of the dead, explaining: “At our age it would be unbecoming to make such a pretense; many young men would think the ninety-year-old Eleazar had gone over to an alien religion. Should I thus pretend for the sake of a brief moment of life, they would be led astray by me, while I would bring shame and dishonor on my old age. Even if, for the time being, I avoid the punishment of men, I shall never, whether alive or dead, escape the hands of the Almighty. Therefore, by manfully giving up my life now, I will prove myself worthy of my old age, and I will leave to the young a noble example of how to die willingly and generously for the revered and holy laws.” Eleazar spoke thus, and went immediately to the instrument of torture. Those who shortly before had been kindly disposed, now became hostile toward him because what he had said seemed to them utter madness. When he was about to die under the blows, he groaned and said: “The Lord in his holy knowledge knows full well that, although I could have escaped death, I am not only enduring terrible pain in my body from this scourging, but also suffering it with joy in my soul because of my devotion to him.” This is how he died, leaving in his death a model of courage and an unforgettable example of virtue not only for the young but for the whole nation. (2 Maccabees 6:18-31)
In twilight's embrace, you stand, a sentinel of honor, resolute. Your life, a testament to the grand, a beacon for the young, absolute. The revered laws, you yield. Generously, willingly, you tread. In sacrifice, your purpose revealed, a noble example, in shadows spread. As the sun sets on your days, may your unwavering spirit inspire generations to come, igniting flames of nobility and selflessness.
When darkness veils your weary soul, and burdens weigh upon your fragile frame, God's light breaks through, makes you whole, your glory, your strength, your eternal flame.
O Lord, how many are my adversaries! Many rise up against me! Many are saying of me, “There is no salvation for him in God.” But you, O Lord, are my shield; my glory, you lift up my head! When I call out to the Lord, he answers me from His holy mountain. When I lie down in sleep, I wake again, for the Lord sustains me. I fear not the myriads of people arrayed against me on every side. (Psalm 3:2-3, 4-5, 6-7)
In the shadowed fray, where battles rage, my refuge, my defense, my shield unfurled. The tempests howl, yet I stand unswayed, For You, O Lord, are my fortress, my world. Lifted high, my head, once bowed in strife, Your grace, a beacon, pierces the night. In Your embrace, I find abundant life, a symphony of love, unwavering and bright. So I raise my voice, my heart's refrain, to You, O Lord, my refuge and my song. In Your presence, I find solace, gain, for You, my Shield, my Glory, I belong.
Pericope:
V: The Journey to Jerusalem: Luke's Travel Narrative
ZACCHAEUS THE TAX COLLECTOR
Luke 19:1-10
IV: Profanation and Persecution
MARTYRDOM OF ELEAZAR
2 Maccabees 6:18-31
First Book of Psalms 1-41
THREATENED BUT TRUSTING
Psalm 3:1-9
Reflection Source:
Microsoft Copilot