The story told in today’s gospel is only told by the evangelist Luke. Luke has a special interest in showing God’s love and mercy for the sinner. It is only in Luke that we read other similar stories like the story of the prodigal son; the sinful woman that anointed the feet of Jesus and the repentant thief on the Cross. In each of these instances there is a strong reflection of Jesus accepting his own people that are lost. This is what he says in the gospel of today that his mission is, “to seek and to save what was lost.” Jesus’ mission is to look for those who are in the wrong places and to save them. That is what he did with our friend Zacchaeus today and that is what he wants to do with us.
Zacchaeus was in the wrong place. It was almost impossible to be a tax collector and an honest person. He had grown to the peak in this profession and the gospel says he was the chief tax collector. He had enriched himself so much with the money he extorted from the people. He worked with the Roman government against his own people. In human judgment, this guy was lost. Despite his wealth and his earthly pleasures, Zacchaeus felt a great sense of emptiness, an emptiness that can only be filled with Jesus.
I want to invite you to look at the story of Zacchaeus symbolically. The crowd and the shortness of stature symbolize the many sins in his life. He was crowded with the cheating, the stealing, the lying, the pride, etc. of his life. These sins crowded his life that he could not see Jesus. In our own lives too, some times we let sin so much crowd us that we find it difficult to see Jesus. Zacchaeus realized that these sins were preventing him from seeing Jesus and so he made serious efforts to see Jesus – He ran and climbed a tree. He did not remain where he was. He actively worked towards seeing Jesus. We too must make serious efforts to see Jesus. We are so privilege to have the sacrament of reconciliation, a place we can encounter the living and merciful Jesus like Zacchaeus. Even before Zacchaeus will turn his gaze on Jesus, Jesus first call him and promise he will stay in his house. The effort Zacchaeus made alone were enough for Jesus. He tells us in the book of revelation, I am standing at your door knocking, if you open the door, I will come in and share your meal side by side with you. Zacchaeus was open to Jesus and Jesus made himself a guest in Zacchaeus’ house. That moment of encounter with Jesus was a transformative moment for Zacchaeus and he goes from a life of selfishness, to a life of generosity. He is willing to give back not only what is required by law but a four-fold of what the law requires and the rest of his property, he will give to the poor.
Today, we are invited to open ourselves to the Lord that he may transform us as he transformed Zacchaeus. Until we consciously and actively make efforts to see Jesus, we will continue to spin in one place in our Christian journey. Let us today ask Jesus to come and stay in the home of our hearts so that we too will receive the salvation that he has promised.
Labels: Cross, Jesus, Luke, tax collector, Zacchaeus
