As we fast approach the Christmas period, we are hoping to take part in the ‘Christmas Food Parcel Appeal 2021’ for St. Vincent de Paul Society, Holy Trinity Parish. This appeal asks us to create parcels for local families in need or donate food and necessary items. These will go to people who will benefit from our help such as house-bound people (often elderly) with few family or contacts, struggling families with young children and refugees who may be finding it difficult to cope during this time.

We hope to get underway with our collection in school from the beginning of December so ask that you begin to think about collecting some items that we could use for our hampers, such as:

• Christmas Treats, Sweets, Toys, Gifts
• Canned & Packet Ready Meals
• Canned Meat and Fish
• Cook-In Sauces ( e.g. Chicken Tonight )
• Condiments ( e.g. Chutney, Relish )
• Pasta & Sauces, Noodles
• Biscuits, Crackers, Other Snacks
• Jams and Spreads
• Cereals, Muesli Bars
• Canned Fruit and Vegetables
• Coffee, Tea, Chocolate Drinks
• Shampoo, Conditioner, Body Care Products

Gospel

He entered Jericho and was going through the town and suddenly a man whose name was Zacchaeus made his appearance; he was one of the senior tax collectors and a wealthy man. He kept trying to see which Jesus was, but he was too short and could not see him for the crowd; so he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to catch a glimpse of Jesus who was to pass that way. When Jesus reached the spot he looked up and spoke to him, 'Zacchaeus, come down. Hurry, because I am to stay at your house today.' And he hurried down and welcomed him joyfully. They all complained when they saw what was happening. 'He has gone to stay at a sinner's house,' they said. But Zacchaeus stood his ground and said to the Lord, 'Look, sir, I am going to give half my property to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody I will pay him back four times the amount.  And Jesus said to him, 'Today salvation has come to this house, because this man too is a son of Abraham; for the Son of man has come to seek out and save what was lost.' 

Luke 19:1-10

Reflection

Zacchaeus was a very wealthy man, who had taken advantage of his position of tax collector. But still, Zacchaeus was interested in seeing and hearing Jesus. His encounter with Jesus was transformative; it gave him a new commitment to justice. Zacchaeus volunteered to give half of his wealth to the poor and to pay back anyone he had cheated four times the amount he took unfairly. 

“I must stay with you today.” Jesus’ words to Zacchaeus were a shock. Jesus’ words to Zacchaeus are also His words to each one of us: “I must stay with you today.” Whether we’re having a good day or a bad day, whether we’re struggling or succeeding, Jesus comes to be with us. He wants to be with us. Zacchaeus’ life changed forever the day Jesus came to his home. Our lives change every time we welcome Jesus, who comes to us, seeks us out, and calls out to us so He can stay with us. Jesus is the guest who brings God’s love into our hearts and our homes, who changes our lives every time we let Him in. “Come down quickly,” He says to each and every one of us. “I must stay with you today.”

Bearing this in mind, what new commitments can we make to God today, just as Zacchaeus made his new commitment to justice?