Zacchaeus, Come Down

 

In today’s gospel we hear the familiar story of Zacchaeus, who was a chief tax collector.  Due to his position, he was not popular with the people.  Zacchaeus saw a crowd and wanted to know what is going on, trying to get close to Jesus, he climbs a sycamore tree to see Jesus.  Jesus calls him down and tells him he is going to host a dinner for Him.  Hospitality is so important in Zacchaeus’ time as well as in our own times.  God calls us, comes to us, and encourages us to change anything that is keeping us from following.  Jesus comes and invites us to be His friend, welcomes us, knows what we are about and gives us countless chances to welcome Him into our hearts, all we have to do is accept the invitation.

What keeps us from accepting Jesus’ invitation to follow?  There are many reasons why we shy away from accepting Jesus’ invitation.  We are fearful, anxious, burdened by the needs of our times, and concerned about what will people think of me.  Jesus recognizes the faith of this tax collector exhibited in his search for salvation and calls him down from the tree. In the hospitality he extends to Jesus and in his conversion of heart, Zacchaeus is raised up by Jesus as a model of salvation.  We, too, can experience what Zacchaeus did if we open our hearts to humility and accept Jesus’ call to follow in faith and hope.  Jesus only wants what is good for us.  He wants us to be happy, to care for one another, and follow Him unreservedly.  We are called not to a certitude of the mind but a certitude of the heart.  Let us be like Zacchaeus open to Jesus’ invitation to follow with hearts full of love and joy.