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| "Zacchaeus in the Sycamore Awaiting the Passage of Jesus" -- by James Tissot |
FIRST READING: 2 Maccabees 6: 18 - 31
18
Eleazar one of the chief of the scribes, a man advanced in years, and
of a comely countenance, was pressed to open his mouth to eat swine's
flesh.
19
But he, choosing rather a most glorious death than a hateful life,
went forward voluntarily to the torment.
20
And considering in what manner he was come to it, patiently bearing,
he determined not to do any unlawful things for the love of life.
21
But they that stood by, being moved with wicked pity, for the old
friendship they had with the man, taking him aside, desired that
flesh might be brought, which it was lawful for him to eat, that he
might make as if he had eaten, as the king had commanded of the flesh
of the sacrifice:
22
That by so doing he might be delivered from death: and for the sake
of their old friendship with the man they did him this courtesy.
23
But he began to consider the dignity of his age, and his ancient
years, and the inbred honour of his grey head, and his good life and
conversation from a child: and he answered without delay, according
to the ordinances of the holy law made by God, saying, that he would
rather be sent into the other world.
24
For it doth not become our age, said he, to dissemble: whereby many
young persons might think that Eleazar, at the age of fourscore and
ten years, was gone over to the life of the heathens:
25
And so they, through my dissimulation, and for a little time of a
corruptible life, should be deceived, and hereby I should bring a
stain and a curse upon my old age.
26
For though, for the present time, I should be delivered from the
punishments of men, yet should I not escape the hand of the Almighty
neither alive nor dead.
27
Wherefore by departing manfully out of this life, I shall shew myself
worthy of my old age:
28
And I shall leave an example of fortitude to young men, if with a
ready mind and constancy I suffer an honourable death, for the most
venerable and most holy laws. And having spoken thus, he was
forthwith carried to execution.
29
And they that led him, and had been a little before more mild, were
changed to wrath for the words he had spoken, which they thought were
uttered out of arrogancy.
30
But when he was now ready to die with the stripes, he groaned, and
said: O Lord, who hast the holy knowledge, thou knowest manifestly
that whereas I might be delivered from death, I suffer grevious pains
in body: but in soul am well content to suffer these things because I
fear thee.
31
Thus did this man die, leaving not only to young men, but also to the
whole nation, the memory of his death for an example of virtue and
fortitude.
2
Why, O Lord, are they multiplied that afflict me? many are they who
rise up against me.
3
Many say to my soul: There is no salvation for him in his God.
4
But thou, O Lord art my protector, my glory, and the lifter up of my
head.
5
I have cried to the Lord with my voice: and he hath heard me from his
holy hill.
6
I have slept and taken my rest: and I have risen up, because the Lord
hath protected me.
7
I will not fear thousands of the people, surrounding me: arise, O
Lord; save me, O my God.
1
And entering in, he walked through Jericho.
2
And behold, there was a man named Zacheus, who was the chief of the
publicans, and he was rich.
3
And he sought to see Jesus who he was, and he could not for the
crowd, because he was low of stature.
4
And running before, he climbed up into a sycamore tree, that he might
see him; for he was to pass that way.
5
And when Jesus was come to the place, looking up, he saw him, and
said to him: Zacheus, make haste and come down; for this day I must
abide in thy house.
6
And he made haste and came down; and received him with joy.
7
And when all saw it, they murmured, saying, that he was gone to be a
guest with a man that was a sinner.
8
But Zacheus standing, said to the Lord: Behold, Lord, the half of my
goods I give to the poor; and if I have wronged any man of any thing,
I restore him fourfold.
9
Jesus said to him: This day is salvation come to this house, because
he also is a son of Abraham.
10
For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
