Saturday, November 9 : Saint Ambrose

The wealthy need to learn something: there is nothing wrong with being wealthy but there is in not knowing how to make use of one’s wealth. For if wealth prevents wicked people from acquiring virtue, it assists those who are good. In any case, Zacchaeus – who was rich – was chosen by Christ, although by giving away the half of his property to the poor and even paying back fourfold what he had fraudulently stolen. For a single item is not enough. Acts of generosity are valueless if injustice persists. What is asked is not the stripping away but giving. That is why he received a reward greater than his lavishness. And it was right he was described as a leading publican for who could despair when even Zacchaeus succeeded? For Zacchaeus drew his revenue from fraud. “He was seeking to see who Jesus was; but he could not see him because of the crowd, for he was short in stature”… So long as Zacchaeus is among the crowd he does not see Christ, but he was raised above the crowd and he saw… And Jesus saw Zacchaeus high up because the height of his faith now caused him to appear among the fruits of his new deeds as on the top of a fruitful tree.

Roman Extraordinary (Tridentine) Daily Readings – rosary,team