A Reflection for Sunday 2nd November 2025
provided by Reverend Barbara Irrgang-Buckley
Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham.
Hymn Put all your trust in God (Wesley)
Collect
you have kindled the flame of love in the hearts of the saints:
Grant to us the same faith and power of love,
that, as we rejoice in their triumphs,
we may be sustained by their example and fellowship;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
2 Thessalonians 1: 1-4, 11-12
In Jesus’ time tax collectors were not popular and were commonly regarded as sinners. Tax collectors worked for the Romans, the occupying force in Palestine at the time. They collected taxes from people to give to the Romans and were regarded as traitors. Most people resented the Romans and did not want to pay taxes to them.
Tax collectors were not paid a wage. They were expected to pay their own wages by taking extra money from people. Such a system was open to exploitation and tax collectors had a reputation for being very dishonest. They often became rich at the expense of those they collected taxes from.
Zacchaeus was especially unpopular as he was a chief tax collector in Jericho and a wealthy man. However, he must have realised that his life needed to change, and he was determined to see Jesus – even though this meant climbing a tree.
By inviting himself to Zacchaeus’ house, Jesus showed his acceptance of someone who was regarded as a sinner and treated as an outcast. The crowd did not approve of Jesus’ controversial action.
Zacchaeus showed he was willing to change by offering half of his belongings to the poor and paying back four times as much to anyone he had cheated. This amount was what the Old Testament law demanded as a repayment for dishonesty.
Jesus’ final comment highlights that although he has brought salvation for all people, those who are sinners are most urgently in need of this message. It is wrong to think he is only interested in so-called ‘respectable’ people.
This story is a story of God’s desire to save sinners; it is a story of hope and encouragement to recognize change. It is also a story which highlights that God reaches for people outside institutionalised and exclusive religion, of which humans try to take ownership and power. It is God who recognises the seeker and who makes his way into the lives of the ones who are seen as outcasts. It is God who brings salvation to the faithful sinner, not the people who try to determine through power who is ‘on their side’ and who is an outcast.
One could ask, who are the people in Zacchaeus’ place today if the story was told again in our time? And how would we respond?
And some more music, in the spirit of Reformation Day which was on October 31st:
Hymn ‘A mighty fortress is our God’ in German and English
The same but as Cantata by Bach (BWV 80)
And finally, if you ever wanted to know more about this hymn…
Martin Luther’s Hymn: Bach’s BWV 80 “A Mighty Fortress is our God” Explained
Previous Posts
Harvest Thanksgiving at St Michael and All Angels Waterville
In celebrating God’s creation and understanding , that we are part of his wonderful world, we understand that Christ, the Pantocrator, the Ruler of All, wants to marry his creation in us.
Praying Together 4th October 2026
A Meditation for Trinity 18 - Harvest 2026CollectEternal God, you crown the year with your goodness and you give us the fruits of the earth in their season: grant that we may use them to your glory, for the relief of those in need and for our own well-being; through...
Praying Together 20th September 2026
Salvation.
It can’t be earned. No-one can get more than the next person. There are no degrees of salvation. Salvation is personal and unique to each human being. It is the complete gift – all you can ever need.
Praying Together 13th September 2026
Our responsibility in the Christian life is to prepare people for receiving the Gospel – remembering that they are able to meet Christ themselves directly in prayer and scripture. We cannot meet Him on their behalf, and in His walk alongside them they will grow as His body on earth.
Praying Together 30th August 2026
Just like those early disciples and apostles there’s an important work to continue. You and I are part of that bunch of followers – ordinary people – let’s keep that in mind – as we reach out to others, each and every day of our lives.
Praying Together 23rd August 2026
Cambridge dictionary definition: ‘Conform’ – to behave according to the usual standards of behaviour that are expected by a group or society.
Praying Together 16th August 2026
We share the shame of both if we fail to address the divisive hatred within our own purportedly Christian ‘tribe’ before condemning others. For Scripture also says Judge not lest ye yourself be judged (Matthew 7:1). Jesus Himself makes it clear that hypocrisy has no place in a Kingdom founded upon love.
Praying Together 9th August 2026
Trusting Jesus and obeying His call takes commitment, it takes faith, it takes the courage to face antagonism, discomfort and sometimes suffering.
Praying Together 26th July 2026
Just cling to the promise that neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord
Pray Together 19th July 2026
We define hope as ‘to want something to happen or to be true, and have a good reason to think that it might’.
Praying Together 12th July 2026
But the real task to which godparents promise is to ensure that the newly-baptised are supported in their Christian growth, by prayer, advice and example.
Praying Together 5th July 2026
We obey His command, but not as slaves – instead, he invites us to be willing servants, alongside the freedom to always ask and reason together with Him as we choose our actions. Therein lies the path to Wisdom, and in God’s Wisdom lies gentleness, humility and rest for our souls.