This Sunday we find readings which could be quite challenging. The First Reading presents the epitome of mercy shown by the Creator God who has the absolute power over creation. God loves everyone and everything that he created, it is our fallen nature that deceives us into thinking that we are unloved, orphaned and abandoned. The Father’s love never leaves us.

In the Gospel proclamation the Son of God who is the perfect representation of the Father, lives that mercy. As he enters the house of Zacchaeus he personifies the mercy of God, which transforms the so-called sinner.
As I pondered over the story of Zacchaeus, I was led to put myself not in the place of Zacchaeus, but of the Lord Jesus. I am quick to see the sin and brokenness of others and am quick to correct them. The Lord Je- sus had a different approach. He looked up and saw Zacchaeus, perched on the sycamore tree. Zacchaeus was curious to see this miracle working teacher, possibly desiring that he was in a better state to meet the Lord Jesus without hiding.

Is this not what sin does; making us hide and withdraw from God? I would have at my best, spoken to him kindly but firmly pointing out all his wrong actions. I would have offered him spiritual guidance and encouraged him to repent for his sins and come to God.

Yet, the Lord Jesus did none of that. He offered a fellowship to the sinner by getting self-invited to the house of the sinner. Staying at some- one’s house was probably the best way in that culture, to show one’s close- ness to the other. Zacchaeus would have been the most shocked, at the words of the Lord Jesus, knowing who he truly was.
When was the sin pointed out to him? When was he corrected or admonished? A gesture of love and honour did it all inside the sinner’s heart. True repentance is not only feeling sorry for one’s sins but making a U-turn towards the heart of God. The Lord was delighted at the conversion of this sinner, but the so called righteous people – like many of us – began to mutter in disagreement.
Those people had not experienced the Holy Spirit at the time but we have. We also have the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:16). The Holy Spirit in us empowers us to function in the mindset of Christ.
Let us claim what has been given to us freely, as the full price has already been paid by our Saviour.

Prayer: Abba Father, thank you for your amazing love, mercy and forgiveness. Amen.