By P.A. Devadoss, CSC –
Readings: Wis 11:22-12:2; 2Thes 1: 11-2:2; Lk 19:1-10
Zacchaeus was short in stature. He was often lost in the crowd. He hesitated to be in the front row of a gathering because he did not have a good standing in the society. They looked down upon him with contempt.
He wanted to be tall. He thought that only wealth could make him tall in the society. He thought plenty of money and a big house would enhance his status in the society. He spoke with arrogance and treated people with disgust. He made money by any means. He built a great mansion. Yet people paid no attention to what he was and what he had. He reacted tooth and nail to the people who blamed him and took pain to prove that he was a good man. This did not make him tall and respectful.
Zacchaeus heard about Jesus and the way he treated, accepted and loved the people. His desire to see and meet him increased. He came to know that Jesus was passing through Jericho. He made enquiries regarding the route of his journey. “He ran ahead and climbed up a sycamore tree. From there he would be able to see Jesus who was going to pass that way.” When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said, “Zacchaeus come down quickly for I must stay at your house today.” For the first time in his life, Zacchaeus experiences deep respect from Jesus and drops all his defences.
In meeting Jesus, Zacchaeus sees himself in him and has absolutely no hesitation to acknowledge himself and to come down.