31st Sunday in Ordinary Time
Both our reading and Gospel focus on the forgiveness of God. In our reading we hear that God loves everything he created and especially us. God is very patient with us and wants us to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. He keeps forgiving us for our mistakes. Reconciliation is the perfect sacrament for starting over. In our Gospel, we hear the story of a short tax collector named Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus and find out who he is. There were lots of people there and he couldn’t see Jesus so he climbed a sycamore tree to get a better look. Jesus saw him in the tree and called out to him. Jesus wanted to stay at Zacchaeus’ house. Some people in the crowd didn’t like it that Jesus was staying in the home of a sinner. Zacchaeus changed his life after meeting Jesus. He wanted to give half of everything he had to the poor and he would pay back more than he took from others. Zacchaeus followed Jesus.
Special Saint/Feast Day: St. Alphonsus Rodriguez – Oct. 31st
Alphonsus was born in Spain in 1532. At 15 years old, he was sent to study at the Jesuit College in Alcala.
When his father died, he left school to help his mother run the family wool business. Three years later, he married. They were blessed with 2 children.
His suffering started a few years later when his business began to fail, his wife and mother became very sick, and in a short period of time his wife, children, and mother died.
Alphonsus began to think about what God wanted for him. From that time on, he prayed, did penance, and received the sacraments more than ever before.
He went back to school and was later accepted as a lay brother.
Many people came to Alphonsus for spiritual advice. He inspired Peter Claver (who also became a saint) to offer his life to the missions.
During his long life, Alphonsus had to conquer strong temptations and he had many physical pains. When he was dying, he spent a half hour in terrible agony. Then, just before he died, he was filled with peace and joy. He kissed his crucifix and died a happy death at the age of 85 years.
St. Alphonsus Rodriguz taught many lessons with his life. One very important lesson is the way he accepted all the events in his life from the loving hands of God. He never lost hope. We can ask St. Alphonsus to teach us how to trust.