Religious Education

This week's gospel just happens to be the same gospel our Year 3 students are exploring in preparation for receiving the sacrament of Reconciliation. Luke's gospel about the short Tax Collector  is often called, ‘the little man’s revenge‘. Zacchaeus was the least likely person in Jericho to host Jesus at dinner. In fact, as this marvelous story goes, that was the last thing on his mind as well. All Zacchaeus seems to have wanted is get a good look at Jesus who was on a ‘walkabout’ in the village.

Jesus, however, seized the opportunity, given him by the actions of Jericho’s chief tax collector, to teach everyone about how God’s Kingdom comes in extraordinary packages. Because of his job, the local Jewish community would have hated Zacchaeus and yet Jesus does two things that welcome into the family of God: he calls him by name and dines with him. Jesus might have gone in the door of Zacchaeus’ home, but he brings Zacchaeus out through God’s door. He enables Zacchaeus to face up to his extortion and wealth and to claim his salvation.

It’s the same with us. If only we have the eyes to see, the ears to hear and the arms to embrace, Jesus comes to us through the most unusual people, times and places. 

We are his family, he calls us by name and he dines with us as often as we choose to accept his standing invitation to this table. But there’s a price tag: we are meant to be different people for this encounter, generous with all we have to offer the world and transparent in all our relationships. 

The songs the Year 3 students sang beautifully at their commitment and journey masses were a testament to this understanding. "...Change Your Heart, God's love will set us free!"

No matter how lost we are, how far up a tree we get stuck or even when we are consumed with regret at the dreadful judgements we have made about the wrapping of God’s gifts, Jesus calls us by name, invites us to his table and tells us that salvation is near at hand. 

In our final song  CHOICES- the lyrics remind us  that "I can grow and I can change, I don’t have to be the same, I can be the best that I can be. Just like God wants me to.

I can listen to God’s call, I can talk of hope for all, I know I can always start again. Because God loves me so. "

IMPORTANT DATES

Tues 8th Nov- 3JM and 3BP  Sacrament of First Reconciliation

Wed 9th Nov- 3BB and 3RD  Sacrament of First Reconciliation

Sat 12th- 6pm/Sun 13th -9.30am  Year 2 Family Level Masses

Tues 22nd Nov- Prep Class Mass 9.15am

Thurs 24th Nov- 1JC&1ES Class Mass 9.15am