November 20, 2012 
Tuesday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time
Saint of the day
Saint Edmund the Martyr (c.841-870)
Saint Edmund the Martyr was the king of Norfolk and Suffolk in England in the ninth century. Exact details about his life are fuzzy. It is known that Edmund defended his people against Danish invaders and was killed when the Danes prevailed. Some legends say that he was beheaded and died calling out to Jesus, and others say that he was shot with arrows because of his refusal to sign a treaty that would harm his people and his faith. Saint Edmund is the patron saint of various kings, pandemics, torture victims, and wolves.
Reflection
Do you follow the example of Saint Edmund the Martyr, and refuse to do things that could put the people that you care about and your faith in danger? Ask God for help doing the right thing, even if you may get wounded in the process.
Prayer
Dear Jesus, give me the desire to be your hands and heart in the world. May I be compassionate and courageous in helping the needy and confronting evildoers. (Taken from “Take Ten: Daily Bible Reflections for Teens.”)
Liturgical season information
Lectionary: 498
Place in Year: Ordinary Time
Color of decorations and priest's vestments: Green
Daily readings
Reading 1: Revelation 3:1-6, 14-22
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 15:2-3a, 3bc-4ab, 5
Gospel: Luke 19:1-10
View complete readings on USCCB.orgMeditations
Meditation for Gospel
Zacchaeus was a tax collector, which was a disgraceful profession in antiquity because those who collected the taxes often took more money than was required of the people and kept it for themselves. The most interesting part of the story isn't that Zacchaeus was a tax collector - after all, we know that Jesus spent a lot of time with lots of people who were judged as sinners in their society. The interesting thing about Zacchaeus is that he was short man who, because of the crowds, had to climb a tree in order to see Jesus. Even though Zacchaeus did not expect to be seen, but rather, to see Jesus, Jesus noticed him in the tree. This moment gives us reason to pause and reflect: how often do we forget that Christ can see us, even when we aren't expecting to be noticed? When we are telling a lie, or doing a good deed, Jesus takes notice and calls to us. In those moments, we must respond to His call, just as Zacchaeus did. We must resolve to quit our bad habits, or continue to cultivate our good ones, in light of Christ's watching gaze and his inviting call.
