“We’re All In This Together” by Cait Seymour
31st Sunday in Ordinary Time
“I hate him!” Have you ever voiced a sentiment of this sort? In the past, I’ve gotten angry – really angry – and it seemed to swallow me whole. Or I sometimes I feel hurt – devastated even – and it has the same effect on me. My heart hardens towards someone, and I turn away. Sometimes I just can’t subdue my emotional response.
The best (and most challenging) advice I got on how to deal with tough situations and tough people was this: Pray for them. “What?!” I responded. “Pray for them?! That’s ridiculous!” Eventually I overcame my own ego and gave it a shot. And you know what? It works! Slowly at first, because I was quite reluctant. It started with a meager “Dear God, I pray for so-and-so”. Then I forced myself to say “Dear God, I hope so-and-so is happy.” Eventually, I actually meant it! And it went from there.
The result of praying for people I don’t want to pray for is that my resentment towards them dissipates. I become a happier person. Amazing! I’ve heard that holding onto anger/resentment towards others is like drinking poison and waiting for others to die. Praying for them is the antidote.
In the second reading, Paul says “Brothers and sisters: We always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of His calling.” We don’t pray for perfect people. A) Because there aren’t any, and B) Because they wouldn’t need our prayers. So we are told over and over again in Scripture to pray for those who harm us. Until recently, I didn’t realize that those prayers really help me become more worthy of the title Christian. Win-win!
In today’s Gospel, everyone hates Zacchaeus, and for good reason. No one is praying for him. Despite the community’s opinion, Jesus sees his sincerity. God is able to see deep into our hearts to our true selves. How often does Jesus see you differently than the world does? As soon as he is received by Christ, Zacchaeus vows to make up for his sins 4-fold, and completely commits himself to following Jesus through his actions. Once he has Jesus praying for him and receiving him, Zacchaeus is indeed “made worthy of God’s calling”.
Is there something you feel guilty about? Do you regret your past behavior or beliefs, but think it’s too late to fix things? Turn to Christ for solace. He sees your heart. Let him be the catalyst for transformation, and show that transformation through your actions. The world will catch up eventually.
Is there someone who has wronged you? Pray for them. As a true Christian, we should want that for the whole world. In the process, we are made better as well. At the end of the day, we’re all one community in Christ. We’re all in this together.