When he reached the place, Jesus looked up and said, 
“Zacchaeus, come down quickly,
for today I must stay at your house.” 
And he came down quickly and received him with joy. 

luke 19:5-6

Luke 19:1-10

Reflection

Zacchaeus the tax collector climbs a sycamore tree to see Jesus when he passes by. Jesus looks up, sees him, and calls to him. Zacchaeus promptly tells the Lord that he will give away half his possessions and repay those he has wronged.

Sometimes we might feel like we need to ‘climb’ higher in order to see Jesus and appeal to him. Perhaps we believe we need to be holier, more humble, more loving, more something in order to get Jesus’ attention. But he sees us no matter what, no matter our position or circumstances in life. Jesus wants us to come to him just as we are, broken and lowly, not trying to raise ourselves to something we aren’t.

It is good to strive to grow in holiness, but we must first acknowledge the stage we’re at, letting Jesus meet us there, and then have him teach us how to advance in our relationship with him.

Jesus doesn’t expect us to approach him as a perfect Christian (although we must strive for this) – for he came “to seek and to save what was lost.” Be honest with yourself and admit to Jesus where you truly stand in your spiritual life. Ask him for help in growing in love for him and growing in holiness – he helps all who approach him with a repentant and humble heart.

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Saint of the Day

St. Raphael Kalinowski: 1835 – 1907

“God refuses only the person who does not admit his own weakness; He sends away only the unhappy proud person. You must ‘hold him’ well and strongly, with a poor spirit, with a poor heart, with a life entirely poor.” St. Raphael Kalinowski