Caveat: Communion Causes Conversion

The Gospel of Saint Luke has a couple of stories abut social outsiders and insiders. The first story is from Luke 16:19-31. This story features a poor man named Lazarus and an anonymous rich man. The story stings the imagination by reversing the roles that society sets up. It gnaws at the conscience of those who hear the narrative. The second story is from Luke 19:1-10. This story features the rich tax-agent named Zacchaeus. It stirs gelid souls, converts the hearers, and warms human hearts into belief in Jesus.

The first story is glued forever in Christian memories. The rich man dresses and eats well. He is self-absorbed. His heart is hard. He is arrogant. He is insensitive to the demands of the Torah and the prophets. Therefore he refuses to concern himself with sharing his goods with the poor. His story partner is someone covered with sores. He is Lazarus. He is socially an outsider who sits at the gates of the rich man. Lazarus hoped to be filled with the leavings falling from the rich man's table. No such luck! Instead the dogs came and licked his sores. The drama heightens when both men die. Lazarus is carried off by the angels and is brought to Abraham's bosom. The rich man dies, is buried, and suffer torments in Hades. He sees Abraham and Lazarus from afar. He asks Abraham for mercy and requests that Lazarus bring water to him to assuage his thirst. Abraham reminds the rich man that a divide separates Lazarus from the rich man. No one can cross over from the side of reward to the side of punishment. The situation of the rich man and his brothers are hopeless. They are locked into their rejection of the Torah and the prophets. The scriptural call to conversion is lost on their ears. If they will not hear the Torah and the prophets, they will hear neither the words of Jesus nor the narratives of the apostles in the Acts of the Apostles. In short, the rich man encountered God's revelation and invitation, rejected the call to give alms, and refused to convert. So, too, some can hear and reject the Gospel. Someone can encounter Jesus and not be converted.

The second story has Jesus entering Jericho. Zacchaeus, short in stature, strains to catch sight of him. Zacchaeus is considered a sinner because he was the chief tax-agent. But appearances can deceive. Everything about the occupation of tax-collector suggests corruption. But he is righteous in deeds and a true child of Abraham. "Today salvation has happened in this house." Zacchaeus receives Jesus with joy and continues in his steady commitment to share his possessions with the poor. Luke's message is clear. Disciples express the disposition of their hearts through the disposition of their possessions. Those who encounter Jesus are called not only to receive him, but also to share generously with the poor. Receiving Jesus means a commitment to conversion of heart and a change in life-style.

Just before Communion, we say: "Lord, I am not worthy to receive you. Say but the word and my soul will be healed."

Eucharist calls the assembly to conversion, to a steady commitment to the poor, and to the cultivation of the virtue of social justice.