The courage to climb a tree (Luke 19:1–10)

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For more commentary on this week's readings, see the Reflections on the Lectionary page, which includes Francois's current Living by the Word column as well as past magazine and online-only content. For full-text access to all articles, subscribe to the Century.

What invisible wounds does a person sustain through a life of cheating others? Selfish existence is a cancer of the heart that metastasizes to the mind and spirit. Conceptions of the good life are often propped up on the pillars of more money, more sex, and more resources--a crude case of materialism that maims.