For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost.

Dear friends,

“For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost.” (Luke 19:10)

Jericho is where our Lord meets Zacchaeus. This encounter encapsulates all the teachings of our Lord that He has been giving us in the parables we have been listening to in the gospels of recent Sundays.

Zacchaeus is the lost coin, lost sheep, lost son whom God sought out and whose return God and His angels rejoice over.

Zacchaeus is the dishonest steward who once served mammon but now repents to serve God.

Zacchaeus is the wealthy man who repents and attends to the needs of the poor Lazarus lying at his door.

Zacchaeus showed faith as little as the mustard seed and now is no longer an outcast but in whose home God has come to dwell.

Zacchaeus is the tax collector from last Sunday’s gospel, knowing his own unworthiness dared not to be close to the crowd following Jesus. In running ahead of them and climbing a tree, he displays how he is willing to lose his dignity, to be vulnerable and hope to be counted amongst those who seek God.

Zacchaeus is short. In climbing a tree, Zacchaeus sees Jesus and is saved. Zaccaeus is the humble whom God exalts.

Jericho is the lowest city in world and the ascent to Jerusalem from there is steep! In ascending to Jerusalem, Jesus is determined to exalt the humble.

In climbing the tree of the cross, Jesus raises all the “Zacchaeuses” who seek Him and His mercy. Jesus makes His home with all who are exposed and vulnerable and cast out.

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