Today we hear Saint Luke’s account of the charming and yet deeply challenging conversion of Zacchaeus. As a tax collector, he was regarded as an outcast among his own people because he collaborated with the Roman occupiers and enriched himself in the process. When Jesus came into Jericho, Zacchaeus wanted to see Him but was too short to see over the heads of others and so climbed a sycamore tree. Aware that he was there, Jesus Christ called to him to come down and announced that He was coming to his house. Zacchaeus responded with joy, welcomed Jesus Christ into his home, and committed himself to giving half of his property to the poor and paying back those whom he had cheated fourfold.
Zacchaeus was clearly curious about Jesus Christ, yet he was also uneasy. Aware of his outcast status and perhaps also awkward because of his shortness, he hid in a tree where he could see what was going on, and yet also remain at a certain distance to it. We may also feel drawn to a life of faith and be aware that something is missing in our lives, and yet we draw back, conscious of our own inadequacies or afraid of what others will think of us. Yet Jesus Christ cut through Zacchaeus’ defences; He addressed him directly and knew exactly what he needed.
Jesus announces that He is coming to Zacchaeus’ house. In Biblical language that meant that He was coming to share in Zacchaeus’ life and to be in a relationship with him. Welcoming Jesus Christ into our lives means getting to know Him and allowing Him to get to know us, including the parts of ourselves that we would rather He doesn’t see. But it is only through this that we can find true healing and peace and take the steps we need to take to be reconciled both to God and to those around us.