October 30.  Sunday 31C.   Zaccheus.  Fr Pius highlighted in his homily that some of the great saints and missionaries had been quite ordinary people, or even quite wicked ones, before they were inspired to change their ways through some special experience.” Adam had to look up some sinner-turned-saint for his catechism project.  He told his teacher, “You know I thought I should include Zaccheus with Augustine, Francis and Ignatius as something special happened to him too that changed his life.”

Scripture:  “Zaccheus, make haste and come down for I must stay at your house today.”  Luke 19:1-10 .  O Lord, you corner little by little those who trespass and remind and warn them of things wherein they sin, that they may be free from wickedness and put their trust in you.  Wisdom 12:2.  Pope Francis:  The external deserts in the world are growing, because the internal deserts have become so vast.  For this reason the ecological crisis is also a summons to profound interior conversion. LS 217