In this well-known Gospel reading St. Luke describes Zaccheus as a “chief tax collector and also a wealthy man.” (Luke 19:1-10) As he was a short man, he knew he would be unable to see Jesus, who was passing through Jericho, so he climbed a Sycamore tree to ensure he could see him as he passed by.
We begin our examination by asking why a tax collector who performed traitorous work on behalf of the Roman government would be interested in seeing Jesus? Was it a curiosity about rumors he may have heard that Jesus was a miracle-worker? In any event, the precursor to such curiosity is often a spiritual spark that combusts our inspiration. In this case, Zacchaeus stepped out of his role as a tax collector and, in a moment of childlike innocence that recalls Matthew 18:3, ascended the tree with keen anticipation.
Our second observation is that while Zacchaeus’s initial motivation was limited to seeing Jesus, it would never have happened at all had he not positioned himself such that Jesus could see him. What is Luke’s message to us today? First, we all have some of the tax collector in us, and so we must always be spiritually receptive to Jesus by consciously positioning ourselves in His sight. Second, we never know where our receptivity to Jesus’s grace will lead.
His grace is the entrance to manifold blessings, and each blessing we receive has multiple phases. It is often disguised or hidden in paradoxical ways that mask its spiritual source. With prayer, the blessing’s depth and meaning are incrementally revealed as we sense Christ’s presence in our souls. Perhaps in an interaction with a friend, we learn of his unhappiness, fears, or even depression. With an empathy ignited by this hallowed blessing, we participate in his challenges and, with love and prayer, ameliorate his pain.
It is during such experiences that we can discern Christ’s voice in the distance, calling us by name, just as Zacchaeus did on that fateful day when He beckoned him down from the tree. We will likewise be stunned when Jesus invites Himself into our home, that is, the inner sanctum of our soul.
Miraculously, the same grace that descended upon Zacchaeus has found us, and as the crooked road of our sinful past is straightened, the darkened recesses of our souls are lit with the blessings of the Holy Spirit. When that happens, we begin to sense that we are being drawn to a fuller conversion, which triggers the sanctifying act of repentance.
This brings us full circle and confirms that there is unlimited spiritual joy in the view from the Sycamore tree. Our hope of seeing Jesus is affirmed, and the delight is that He sees us first. Our mortal fears are dissipated as we hear the words of Isaiah tell us, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are mine.” (43:1)
Philip E. Mella