The Son of Man Has Come to Seek and Save What is Lost

10-30-2022Weekly ReflectionFr. Manasseh Iorchir, VC

At the time when Jesus walked the earth, tax collectors were not the most loved people in Israel. They were considered social oppressors, collaborators with the oppressive and dictatorial foreign Roman Government and so they were despised by the rest of the chosen people because they perfectly fit into the group categorized as “public Sinners.”’

If you aspired to Holiness and cared about a good reputation, tax collectors were the worst people you could choose as friends. Think of a Church minister making friends with known prostitutes, drug dealers and notorious gang leaders and you will be close to the way people saw any close relationship with tax collectors. Zacchaeus, whom Jesus met in the Gospel passage, is described as the chief chief of tax collectors and a wealthy man.

Luke reports that Jesus was in Jericho and intended to pass through the town. There was a sizable crowd following Him as usual. Zacchaeus the tax collector, desired to see Him but was constrained by many factors. There was the crowd that held him in disdain and would naturally be reluctant to make way for an infamous “public sinner” to go anywhere near the Holyman Jesus and there was the physical limitation of height that prevented him from towering over the people to catch a glimpse of the Messiah. Zacchaeus would not allow these hindrances to prevent him from attaining his goal. So, he ran ahead, found a sycamore tree and climbed in order to see Jesus. Like Zacchaeus, there are many times when we desire a good relationship with God, we feel drawn to embrace a life of righteousness but sin, prejudice, discrimination, contempt and unforgiveness bar us from such a holy objective. At such times, we can climb the Sycamore tree of faith and good works and trust in God’s mercy to effect a life transforming encounter with Christ.

Zacchaeus’ leap of faith did not go unnoticed by Jesus. St. Luke narrates that Jesus saw him, called him by name and invited Himself into his home. This reminds us of Jesus’ description of the Good Shepherd who knows his sheep, calls them by name and leads them to pasture (John 10:3). On the morning of the resurrection, Mary of Magdala recognized the resurrected Jesus when He called her by name. It also brings to mind Jesus’ promise to come into the home of anyone who opens the door of their heart to Him (Revelation 3:20). If we take a courageous leap of faith and hasten towards Christ, He will open His arms to welcome us into a joyous life in the Spirit with Him.

At Zacchaeus’ house, the tax collector acknowledged his dishonest life, committed to a clean break from his past life and promised to make restitution to those he had hurt by his dishonesty. This evoked the declaration of salvation onto his household by Jesus. Forgiveness of sins follows true repentance and Divine restoration is guaranteed for those who truly repent of their sins and commit to the pursuit of righteousness.

May we, like Zacchaeus, never be deterred by shame and fear from encountering Christ. May we hasten towards Christ through the Sacrament of Reconciliation and may each participation at His table during the celebration of the Eucharist transform our lives and effect the restoration of our sonship in the Kingdom of God.

Please be kind and may God bless you.

Fr. Manasseh