Zacchaeus’ metanoia moment

Jubilee Preaching Aid for November 2, 2025

Habakkuk is a relatively unknown prophet, and in this reading we hear him complaining to God. He perceives destruction and violence and does not understand how God allows it to happen. Habakkuk speaks from the perspective of those who have been disempowered, suffering at the hands of others. (“The evils here deplored are best identified with oppression by foreigners.”[i]) And so, Habakkuk awaits the Lord’s response. The Lord hears Habakkuk’s complaint and responds, assuring the prophet that the righteous will be vindicated in God’s time. Habakkuk shows that it is good to lament before the Lord when situations around us are intolerable. God listens to the cry of the poor.

In Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians, he encourages them and acknowledges their faith, patience and charity, despite the persecutions that they are facing. Paul explains that through the combination of divine initiative, grace, and human cooperation, humanity grows and becomes stronger. These two readings echo the cries of the poor in the Global South, who face climate crises, burdensome debt loads and food insecurity. We need to amplify their cries so that their lives may be improved through debt cancellation and by mitigating the effects of climate change.

In Luke’s gospel we hear the familiar story of Zacchaeus, the short, rich chief tax collector who climbs a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus as he walks along a path. We know that Zacchaeus is despised because he collects Roman taxes that make the lives of Jewish people harsh. In the story, Jesus does not pass by, but stops and invites Zacchaeus to climb down so that Jesus can eat with him at his home. Jesus initiates and Zacchaeus responds. This story is such a contrast to the story of the other rich man who asks Jesus earlier in the Gospel, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?”(Luke 18: 18-25). That rich man initiated the conversation, but when Jesus answered him he walked away because he could not detach himself from his riches. In both stories, Jesus invites the rich to have a more balanced relationship with their wealth. In today’s Gospel, Zacchaeus receives Jesus’ invitation with joy and it is Zacchaeus himself who offers to make restitution for the sinful behaviour that he has engaged in. “Half of my goods I will give to the poor and if I’ve defrauded anyone of anything, I will restore it fourfold” (Luke 19:8). (“Zacchaeus goes beyond the requirements of the law in his restitution.”[ii]) Zacchaeus’ encounter with Jesus is life-changing: his openness to change his crooked ways brings Zacchaeus great joy.

The global Turn Debt into Hope campaign for Jubilee 2025 could have a similar result. More and more impoverished countries seek financial assistance from the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

“Ethiopia has an external debt of $28.6 billion that represents 23% of its gross national income. As a country it is facing a worsening humanitarian crisis. Over 15.8 million people require food assistance, and child malnutrition rates are alarming.”[iii]

Can we imagine what would happen if the country’s debt holders had their own Zacchaeus metanoia moment? We know that the country supports many migrants who are fleeing violence, famine and natural disasters.

“Having to pay billions every year in interest on the country’s substantial debts hampers the state’s capacity to address the people’s worsening situation.”[iv]

Ethiopia is working under extraordinary stress to not default on their responsibilities. We, in Canada, can ask their creditors and other world players to cancel their unjust debts. We can sign the petition. If we have signed, we can share the petition with our friends and families so they can add their voice to ours. In 2000, during that Jubilee year, a similar campaign was held with resounding success that led to the cancellation of over $100 billion in foreign debt for 36 of the world’s most impoverished countries.

We can help do this again. Together, let us end the debt crisis and create hope to build a better world!

Pat Carter, a Sister of St. Joseph, a disciple, and an advocate for the poor.

[i]Jerome Biblical Commentary, page 297

[ii]Jerome Biblical Commentary, page 152

[iii]Development & Peace Caritas Canada, “Share Lent” 2025 calendar

[iv]Development & Peace Caritas Canada, Fall 2025 campaign brochure