Let Jesus Transform You

Jesus Meets Zacchaeus

Sunday’s word of God brings us the book of Wisdom, a poetic and philosophical meditation about life, the quest for true wisdom, God’s grandeur and our insignificance, and God’s mercy and favor.

Here the author speaks about the all-mighty God of the universe, creator of billions of galaxies with millions of stars in each galaxy, an awesome creator God completely beyond us and yet utterly within us, a God who is a lover of souls. God, the author observes, can be found everywhere. The author's message is simple: Repent! Live a God-centered, other-centered life!

St. Paul in his letter prays that God will empower the Christian community to continue doing good for others and to stop worrying about tomorrow. Yes, we have today as a gift. Make the best of it.

In the Gospel according to Luke, Jesus meets Zacchaeus in Jericho. This man’s job was to tax his fellow Jews and turn the money over to their occupiers, the Romans. Yet Jesus wants to stay at the house of Zacchaeus. His neighbors must have been shocked: Doesn’t Jesus know Zacchaeus works for the enemy?

But the call of Jesus became a transformative moment for Zacchaeus. From now on, Zacchaeus will be generous with what he has and honest in his business dealings.

Like Jesus, we too can help people transform into the best version of themselves. A good example, I think, is Dr. Karl Menninger, the renowned twentieth-century psychiatrist and guru in mental health. Meeting with a woman who had been depressed since her husband’s death many years before, Menninger noticed the beautiful violets she grew. So he wrote an unusual prescription: the widow was to read her local small town newspaper every day and send a violet to someone who experienced a significant life event—a birth, marriage, a death in the family.

Within a month, the widow called Menninger and said her life had changed dramatically. Every time she sent a violet, the receiver responded. The widow became known as the “violet lady” and began to live her life happily with new friends.  In short, she got out of herself by reaching out to others.

The point is simple. Jesus recognized the potential good in Zacchaeus that many failed to see. Christ calls us to transform others in a similar way by recognizing their gifts and abilities and asking them to use these gifts and abilities to bring joy and hope to others. Let the light of our faith in Jesus Christ shatter the darkness in other people.

Nelson Mandela said this clearly in his 1994 inaugural address as president of South Africa: “We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously encourage other people to let theirs shine.”

And so we might pray for the grace to be transformed, like Zacchaeus, so that we can reflect more transparently the presence or glory of God in our attitudes and behavior vis-a- vis our families, relatives, friends and colleagues. AMEN.

Constructive Conflicts

Dali's Sacrament of the Last Supper

In the Gospel according to Luke, Jesus speaks about conflict. Jesus preached a clearly divisive message. He will burn or destroy everything that is false and evil. You’re either with Jesus or against him.

Church history shows times of disagreement about various things. Imagine, instead of divisiveness, if Christians had continued walking together, putting unity first.

Every one of us faces conflict or confrontation of one kind or another. Such experiences are not only inevitable, they can make for better human relationships. They can be an opportunity to set a relationship on a healthy course, if we commit to keeping first things first, for constructive solutions and stronger relationships.

I like to share the following guidelines, so that conflicts can be a healing rather than a hurting, a constructive rather than a destructive experience:

1. When we have a bone to pick with someone, we need to set up a time to settle the issue as soon as possible. We don’t want to “bottle up” anger indefinitely. Setting an agreeable time and place allows us to cool off and sort out the crux of the issue.

2. Clarify the particular behavior that annoys us. For example, dirty clothes on the floor makes more work for me. Always make “I” statements, not “you” statements. “I” statements avoid name-calling (“you’re” inconsiderate), generalizations (“you” never think of anyone else), abusive language (“listen, you airhead”). Avoid negative judgment. For example, someone is late. A negative judgment would be: you never think about anyone but yourself. The actual behavior is: you’re late; maybe there was an unavoidable delay.

3. Express your feelings honestly. Disguising our feelings can be dangerous, like using the silent treatment. Feelings are neither positive nor negative; they are facts. As aches and pain alert us to physical problems, feelings alert us to our relationship. There’s nothing wrong with expressing feelings honestly and calmly.

4. Lastly, come up with creative solutions. The goal is to resolve a problem in a way that is agreeable to both parties. We may have a specific request that will resolve the issue. Many times, we cannot think of a solution. Then we brainstorm together: the more ideas, the better. Sometimes, we may come up with a new creative solution. Other times we may simply agree to disagree.
All the while, we continue living and working together. All relationships call for nurturing if they are to become stronger.

St. Paul wrote that love “does not brood over injury.” If we do things together and communicate regularly, then we create a climate of love, respect, and trust.

In chapter 6 of St. Luke, Jesus advises: Be compassionate as your heavenly Father is compassionate. Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Amen.