THAT SYCAMORE TREE

Tuesday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time

Lk 19:1-10

He wanted to see Jesus, but Jesus, instead, came to meet him. He merely wanted a glimpse of Jesus, but Jesus, instead, meant to stay in his house that day. He was looked down upon by the people, for he was a tax collector, a public sinner, but Jesus looked up to him on the tree to invite Himself into his house. He went up the sycamore tree many inches smaller, but he came down from it many inches taller than the rest who were there. He was a man of small stature in many aspects, not only height, but Jesus bent down to make him rise. His name was Zacchaeus. He climbed a sycamore tree.

Who would not love Zacchaeus? No one because he represents anyone, including you and me. His story is our story. Jesus finds us; we do not find Him. His is the love that finds us.

Many times in life, when we feel we are not worthy of Jesus, let us remember the story of Zacchaeus. When people look down upon us because of our physical, spiritual, moral, and financial handicap – any handicap, for that matter – let us remember the story of Zacchaeus. When we experience being lost and cannot find our way back to God, let us remember Jesus. Jesus means to stay in our hearts.

The visit of Jesus in the house of Zacchaeus was the coming of salvation into the life of the former tax collector. Jesus’ presence in his house made a difference in the life of Zacchaeus: it made him a different man. What does it mean for us to have Jesus in our hearts? What difference does His presence in our life make?

While I often identify with Zacchaeus, I also wish that I were the sycamore tree he climbed to see Jesus if I were to be part of the Gospel today. That sycamore tree helped him to see Jesus and made Jesus notice him. That sycamore tree was a meeting place of sin and grace. I wish to be a means for others and Jesus to meet. And when the blessed rendezvous is over, let there be no eulogies for me, just a simple “that sycamore tree”.