31^st Sunday in Ordinary Time C.  October 31, 2010.  Wisdom 11:22-12:2.  2 Thessalonians 1:11-2:2.  Luke 19: 1-10.

Curiosity can get us into trouble as every little child learns as he crawls to the top of the basement steps to explore his world or reaches out her hand to touch the fire in the fireplace. Curiosity is also a great gift that can lead us to God.  Zacchaeus was a tax collector and a wealthy man.  If a happy life can be measured by wealth alone, Zacchaeus had it all.  Something inside of Zacchaeus told him that material things were not enough to satisfy him.  Looking for more, Zacchaeus was just checking things out.  He wanted to see who Jesus was – that is all he wanted to do – he wanted to see who Jesus was.  Being short turned out to be a great blessing because Zacchaeus was buried in the crowd and could not see Jesus. This well dressed, wealthy man had to climb up into a tree so that he could see Jesus as Jesus passed by.  Zacchaeus was like a flag waving in the wind high in a tree and Jesus spotted him.  Zacchaeus was only curious about Jesus – but so curious that he climbed into a tree to see Jesus.  Before Zacchaeus knew what was happening Jesus invited himself into the home of Zacchaeus – the wealthy sinner.   Having spent only one night with Jesus in his home Zacchaeus found his heart and his whole life changed.  Without Jesus asking him to do anything Zacchaeus said, “I will give half of my possessions to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated anyone I will repay him four times as much.”  Curiosity about Jesus opens the door of our heart to Jesus – and once Jesus is in our hearts our lives begin to change so dramatically and deeply that we are surprised ourselves.

This gospel read on our annual stewardship Sunday challenges us to answer some very deep and important questions – questions first of all about a good life, not money:

• Are you and I really satisfied with our lives or are we at least a little curious about looking for something more?  Are material things really enough to make us happy?
• Are we curious enough about Jesus to leave the crowd and seek to get a better look at Jesus even if that makes us look foolish?  Even in church we can hide in the crowd.   What is the tree we need to climb to get a better look at Jesus?  Have we ever been daring enough to run ahead of the crowd to see Jesus? 
• Have we allowed Jesus to enter our homes and stay in our hearts?  Do we leave Jesus in church when we leave Sunday Mass or do we take Jesus with us into our homes our businesses and our world? 
• Does Jesus have enough power in our hearts to change our lives even before he asks us to do any thing?  Are we surprised by how much we love Jesus and want to please him not because he demands it but because we are moved by love and pure joy? 

This parish community has been built up by the dedication and generosity of several generations of people who love Jesus very deeply and want to bring his love to the world.  I could talk to you about our parish budget.  I could challenge you to give a certain percentage of your income to the parish.  I could even try to guilt you into giving more to the Church.  My ministry as pastor is not about coaxing and guilting. My ministry is about encouraging you to live the greatest adventure in human life – a rich and powerful relationship with Jesus Christ. Love Jesus even more and you will experience joy and peace; you will be generous in giving to others and to the church in a way that you never thought possible.  On this stewardship Sunday I am grateful for your faith and your love.  May your love for Jesus bring you great peace and joy.

I am grateful to our Parish Finance Council for guiding us and to Jeff Hanson the chairman of the Finance Council.  I have asked Jeff to talk to us about the financial situation of Our Lady of Grace Parish.

(After his presentation)

I am grateful to Jeff for speaking at all fives Masses this weekend. My responsibility as your pastor is to proclaim the joy of knowing Christ and living as he taught.  I know that I have never needed to beg you for anything.  You always astound me with your generosity. I love Our Lady of Grace.     In Christ’s name I thank you.  

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