Test music

 Gospel Lk 19:1-10

At that time, Jesus came to Jericho and intended to pass through the town.

Now a man there named Zacchaeus,

who was a chief tax collector and also a wealthy man,

was seeking to see who Jesus was;

but he could not see him because of the crowd,

for he was short in stature.

So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus,

who was about to pass that way.

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.

When they all saw this, they began to grumble, saying,

"He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner."

But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord,

"Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor,

and if I have extorted anything from anyone

I shall repay it four times over."

And Jesus said to him,

"Today salvation has come to this house

because this man too is a descendant of Abraham.

For the Son of Man has come to seek

and to save what was lost."

Reflection:

Jesus saw the heart of Zaccheus. They say those who have a high IQ level, have the ability of telepathy! It seems that this  holds true for Jesus, for though Zaccheaus was up in the tree, Jesus was able to feel his emotions, or rather read his mind! What may have been in the mind of Zaccheaus at that time, before Jesus called out to him? The Gospel says, that he wanted to see who Jesus was, and this phrase is repeated twice! In turn, Jesus 'looked up' and saw him and called out to him. It seems as if already, Jesus also 'wanted to see' who Zaccheaus was. It became easy for strengthening the relationship and the bonding brought about the conversion of a 'tax collector' which was synonymous to 'sinner' in those times. Note, the focus is on looking for each other! If we 'look for Jesus' constantly in all our dealings, then he would never disappoint us! In fact he is already looking for us, just waiting for us to 'see who Jesus is'! 

Activity

If there is anyone in your family, with whom your relationship is strained, try the strategy which Jesus and Zaccheaus used. It will work this time!