As we move towards the conclusion of our Church year, this Sunday’s readings invite us to stop and reflect on what we invest our time and energy, on whom we place our hope, writes Christian Brother Julian McDonald.

The issue that confronts us all is not a matter of whether we will end up facing death with hope in a life hereafter. The real issue is whether our way of facing life here and now has the mark of authenticity about it; is valid, genuine and effective, writes Christian Brother Julian McDonald.

This Sunday’s gospel story of Zacchaeus puts in front of us a mirror in which to gaze at ourselves. Are we with those who are quick to misjudge others because of their family history, their ethnicity, their sexual orientation, their profession or occupation, their past failures and mistakes? What’s our record of speaking out to defend those who are victims of gossip, prejudice, innuendo and false judgement? Are there people in our society whom we want to see locked in cells and never to be released? asks Christian Brother Julian McDonald.

The only way into healthy Christian living and hope in God is to come to the realisation that God’s love can never be earned. It is already given to us free and unconditionally. We can’t attract God’s attention or favour by painting ourselves as helpless and hopeless or totally down-grading ourselves. Our self-disclosures of fragility, human weakness and personal sinfulness are meant to lead us to hope in a God who constantly loves us, who is always chasing after us, who has a deep respect for us and who places an adult confidence in us, writes Christian Brother Julian McDonald.

The parable about the widow and the unjust judge is a puzzling one, and becomes more puzzling as we dig into it, despite its brevity. Essentially, it’s a parable about the need to pray and not to lose heart. But it also explores the link between the quality of our prayer and the depth (or shallowness) of our faith, writes Christian Brother Julian McDonald.