It is very hard to do the right thing sometimes especially when we know that it will cost us in some way. Eleazar could have avoided suffering and death by the 'compromises' he was offered. But he refused - it would have robbed his whole life of integrity and set a bad example for others, especially the young. This is what being a martyr - a witness - really means: setting an example of faith, honesty, integrity, truth, and justice regardless of the consequences. We will probably not be threatened with death but we still have opportunities each day to do what is right despite the difficulties. Our world needs more witnesses - let us try to witness by our lives.

Zacchaeus was a hated and despised man because of his role as tax collector. In the eyes of many he was a traitor and oppressor. And yet Jesus looked beyond that into the heart and soul of the man. He called him down and announced that he was going to dine at his house. Zacchaeus was so overwhelmed at being loved and accepted that he underwent a conversion: he would return any ill-gotten money fourfold and would give half of his wealth to the poor. Jesus observes that Zacchaeus is a son of Israel and does not lose that status just because his life is out of control. We can do so much by refusing to reject others because of who they are. We don't have to approve of their choices or lifestyles but we can accept them as human beings and love them unconditionally.