One of my favorite people in St. Luke’s gospel is Zacchaeus. He had such a desire to see Jesus that he didn’t let his short stature prevent him from doing so. He runs ahead along the path and climbed a tree in order to see him. Jesus looks up and bids Zacchaeus to come and tells him that he wants to stay at his house. The people grumble because he is going to stay at the house of a sinner!

Zacchaeus bounces down from the tree, which in itself must have been quite a sight, and tells how things will be changed. He says he will give half of his possessions to the poor.

And if he has extorted anyone, he will repay them fourfold. Since Zacchaeus was the chief tax collector in charge of all the tax collectors in the rich Jericho area, this had to be a large amount of money. Jesus responds and says salvation has come to this house today!

This story ends by saying Jesus has come to seek and save those who are lost. Zacchaeus thought he was seeking Jesus when, in fact, he was sought, found and saved by Jesus.

How badly do we want to see Jesus? What special effort are we willing to make to see him? Are we willing to climb a tree and go out on a limb and let Jesus change us?

God bless.