So he ran ahead and climbed up a sycamore tree. From there he would be able to see Jesus,
who was going to pass that way. When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him,
“Zaccheus, come down quickly, for I must stay at your house today.” So Zaccheus climbed
down and received him joyfully.
All the people who saw it began to grumble, and said, “He has gone as a guest to the house of
a sinner.” But Zaccheus spoke to Jesus, “Half of what I own, Lord, I will give to the poor, and if I
have cheated anyone, I will pay him back four times as much.” Looking at him Jesus said,
“Salvation has come to this house today, for he is also a true son of Abraham. The Son of Man
has come to seek and to save the lost.”
Reflect:
Zacchaeus was eager to see Jesus, but he could not do so because of the crowd. So he had to
climb a tree and catch a glimpse of Jesus. The rest is history. Being part of a crowd helps us feel
one with others and be part of a bigger reality. However, it can also prevent us from a personal
encounter. Crowds can be manipulative and lead to ‘groupthink’, preventing us from a true vision
of reality. This can apply to faith matters as well. Whereas it is essential and helpful to be part of
a group, it is also necessary to take some “time out” to spend in personal prayer, reflection, and
encounter. God must be met in community as well as within the sacred inner chamber of one’s
soul. How hard has it been for you to withdraw from the busy world of your life and spend some
time – a day or a week – alone with the Alone?
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