2 Maccabees 6:18-31 / Luke 19:1-10
Generally speaking, as one grows older, one also should get wiser.
Given that with age, comes experiences of life that makes one see clearer and think deeper.
Such was Eleazar in the 1st reading. Being one of the foremost teachers of the Law and advanced in years with dignity, he was put to the test of faith in God.
But he resolved to die with honour than to live in disgrace. He would not even pretend to eat the forbidden food.
As he said, "Such pretence does not square with our time of life. Many young people would suppose that Eleazar at the age of ninety had conformed to the foreigners' way of life. I would only bring defilement and disgrace on my old age. I shall leave with the young a noble example of how to make a good death, eagerly and generously, for the venerable and holy laws."
Eleazar would rather die than to be a scandal for others, especially for the young. Not only was he wiser with age, he was also noble and dignified when it comes to death.
In the gospel, Zacchaeus, the senior tax collector, had also come to a point in his life when he had to decide how to live the rest of his life with dignity and self-respect.
His eagerness to see Jesus was a sign that his heart was yearning for peace in his life.
Jesus came to seek out and to save what was lost. May we also seek out Jesus in whatever stage of life we are at and not lose any more time in our journey towards salvation.