When I try to imagine Zaccheus in my mind, somehow, I picture the actor Danny Devito! I can just see Danny being a bit obnoxious and pushing his way through a crowd of tall people, jumping up occasionally, trying to see over them. Then, finally, as undignified as it was, he climbs a tree in order to see! Of course, the crowd would just laugh and mock him.
I think that’s what it was like for Zaccheus in our gospel story today. In reality, this story is a tale of unexpected contradictions.
- First, Zaccheus was socially prominent, but a despised chief tax collector, and he embarrassed himself by running and climbing a tree.
- Second, Jesus is showing that his ministry is to the rich as well as the poor, tax collectors as well as beggars.
- Finally, Zaccheus thought he was seeking Jesus, but it was really Jesus seeking Zaccheus.
Jesus was choosing a man who had stooped to running and climbing a tree and he honored Zaccheus by offering to go to his house. As a result of Jesus’ compassion, Zaccheus became a changed man, repented, and made restitution over and above what he needed to do to those he had cheated. Zaccheus may have been short in stature, but his heart became great with repentance.
With a humble and contrite heart like Zaccheus’, God can do great things for us as well. Like Zaccheus, are we open to God’s grace and willing to rededicate ourselves to God daily? Just now, at Communion time, Jesus invited himself into our home, our hearts, and we responded:
“Lord, I am not worthy that you should come under my roof, only say the word and my soul shall be healed.” That’s what happened to Zaccheus. When Jesus entered his house and his heart, his soul was healed.
And now, throughout our day, our challenge will be to see how Jesus is inviting himself into our hearts, perhaps in a way we least expect;
- An unexpected conversation with someone who needs a listening ear,
- A text or email get from a friend who needs help,
- A glimpse of creation that causes us to pause in wonder and awe,
- A tug of our heart that is calling us to repent of something or forgive someone.
These invitations from Christ are calling us to follow him wholeheartedly. When they come our way, it’s really Christ’s way of saying to us the words he spoke to Zaccheus: “Hurry down. I mean to stay at your house today.”
