Intending to Pass Through

The story of the encounter between Jesus and Zacchaeus is, in my opinion one that gives hope and strengthens faith.  We are told that Jesus "came to Jericho and intended to pass through the town." But, He stopped when he saw a man who longed to see him so much that he climbed a tree just so that he could see Jesus.  "Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay in your house."  Now Zacchaeus was a tax a collector, a wealthy man, someone perhaps the people did not like and who they considered a sinner.  But, Jesus chose him among all the others to stay with him.  And, Jesus among all people, decided to stay at a place through which He first only intended to pass.  Jesus stopped for Zacchaeus.  Jesus stops for sinners.  Jesus stops for you.

Our Lord stopped for Zacchaeus because He knew it was important for Zacchaeus that He did.  He saw the earnestness and faith of Zacchaeus.  He knew how much Zacchaeus was suffering inside from guilt, shame, and sorrow.  Jesus came to save, to comfort, to forgive, and to raise up.  And so when He saw Zacchaeus up in the sycamore tree, He acknowledged him, called him by name, and invited him to a new way of living, a new life in Him and in His Father's love.  Zacchaeus came down, and Our Lord raised him up, telling him that the shame and guilt he experienced will not longer weigh him down because He is there with him.  When Zacchaeus was shown so great love and tremendous mercy, he confessed and promised to made amends - to return to all from whom he cheated and to give to the poor.  This is what an encounter with Our Lord does, brothers and sisters.  This is to what a relationship with God leads us.  It leads us to conversion and a burning to desire to love and to forgive because we were loved and forgiven much.

The Lord is asking us to come down from the tree to keeps us from being with Him.  What are those trees?  Tree of pride?  Selfishness?  Shame?  Fear? Whatever it is, Jesus is saying to you "Come down for today I must stay at your house."

Knowing that Our Lord stops for us, let us ask the Father to give us the grace to open our hearts to His Son and to let Him raise us up, freeing us from all that burdens us and weighs us down.  Our Lord now resides in the heart of Zacchaeus.  Do I recognize the Lord that resides in myself and in my neighbor?  If not, let us ask the Father to make us see and recognize. Perhaps we are still high up on that tree.  It is time to come down.  Be not afraid, Our Lord is right there waiting to catch you.

Jesus and Zacchaeus



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