The Gospel of Luke, chapter 19:5

Healthy parents always love their children in spite of ungrateful antics, human bumbling or stubbornness. God is like that too. He loves all His children, all the time. Whether we are aware of it or not, God sustains each and every one of us from the inside out and from the outside in, with His constant love. This is true about the most wayward of people. Take Zacchaeus in today’s gospel (Luke 19/1-10) as an example.

Zacchaeus was a grown man who was out on a limb. We can guess why he climbed up the sycamore tree. Not just because he was a small man, but because he was cagey and sly about seeing Jesus. Like many an opportunist, Zacchaeus knew his way around. All these years he managed to gather tax money for the Romans and move among his fellow Israelites. This was no mean achievement. Zacchaeus lived by his wits and kept his ear to the ground. This time, however, he was up a tree, hanging onto a limb and stealing a glimpse of Jesus as he passed by.

Zacchaeus is a symbol of humanity in need of salvation. Salvation may be defined as deliverance from sin. Like most people, Zacchaeus knew he was no saint; that he had done many things wrong in his life; but he was open to change. He was curious about Jesus’ message of salvation which rocked the whole countryside. He had to see for himself, and the height of a sycamore tree served his purpose.

Jesus simply called out to Zacchaeus, who came scrambling down from the sycamore tree. Zacchaeus saw his chance, and he seized it. When Zacchaeus accepted Jesus into his home, he himself came home. God’s imperishable spirit triumphed in Zacchaeus who drew himself up to the full height of his small stature. He accepted the grace of salvation and was delivered from the grip of sin.

Zacchaeus became a changed man. He once was lost but eventually was found; and he welcomed Jesus “with delight” into his life.

Fr. Hugh Duffy