Gospel
Jerusalem Bible © 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd Ltd and Doubleday & Company Inc.
Jesus entered Jericho and was going through the town when a man whose name was Zacchaeus made his appearance: he was one of the senior tax collectors and a wealthy man. He was anxious to see what kind of man Jesus was, but he was too short and could not see him for the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to catch a glimpse of Jesus who was to pass that way. When Jesus reached the spot he looked up and spoke to him: ‘Zacchaeus, come down. Hurry, because I must stay at your house today.’ And he hurried down and welcomed him joyfully. They all complained when they saw what was happening. ‘He has gone to stay at a sinner’s house’ they said. But Zacchaeus stood his ground and said to the Lord, ‘Look, sir, I am going to give half my property to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody I will pay him back four times the amount.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house, because this man too is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek out and save what was lost.’
(Luke 19:1–10)
Did you know?
Points of interest and Catholic lore
- The name Zacchaeus means ‘pure’; however, the actions of this wealthy tax collector belied such a name and earned him the title of ‘sinner’.
- Jesus addresses Zacchaeus as ‘son of Abraham’, a title usually reserved for those who are holy or pious. Jesus is clearly indicating that Zacchaeus is as good as anyone else.
- Jericho lies in the Jordan Valley, just 6 miles north of the Dead Sea, and it has a milder climate than the surrounding barren hills. Herod built a lavish winter palace there.
- Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem is almost complete. Jericho is the last town he will pass through before he begins his steep ascent to Jerusalem.
Exploring the Word
This text should be compared to the one before it, which includes the story of a rich official who was a righteous man (Luke 18:18–23); however, this story is not included in the Lectionary readings for this year. In that text, although Jesus challenges the rich man to sell all he has and distribute the proceeds to the poor, the rich man cannot give up his wealth. Here, Zacchaeus—also a rich man, but considered a sinner—spontaneously offers to give half his wealth away and make generous restitution to those he has cheated. Jesus’ response to Zacchaeus starkly contrasts his response to the rich man. In his undignified climbing of the tree, Zacchaeus is prepared to make himself look ridiculous to know Jesus. He has humbled himself in the eyes of the crowd, just as the tax collector humbled himself in the temple in last week’s gospel. Jesus not only tells parables but also lives them in reality. He has searched for the lost, and his encounters have led to conversion and salvation.
- Have you ever experienced an element of personal embarrassment because you decided to approach Jesus through the catechumenate?
- How could a sense of God accepting you prompt change in your life?
Making connections
Opportunities for group discussion and personal prayer
- Are you anxious to discover Jesus?
- How far would you go to discover Jesus?
- How do you welcome Jesus joyfully?
- Recall an experience in which you were overlooked or felt left out. Alternatively, share an experience in which you were singled out or chosen for something special.
- Identify someone you don’t know well but with whom you are acquainted. Try to move past superficial appearances and discover what sort of person he or she really is. Change your relationship with them.
- At each Eucharist, we pray:
Lord, I am not worthy
that you should enter under my roof,
but only say the word
and my soul shall be healed.
Pray this often this week.
Sharing the tradition
A closer look at the Scripture of the day, to see how it makes more explicit God’s word to us through the teachings of Jesus Christ
Zacchaeus is labelled a sinner, but he repents from his sin and is offered salvation. The Church teaches that the ‘original sin’ of Adam and Eve in the garden was a choice for themselves and against God (CCC, §398), and that their selfish choice has had implications for all humankind (§402). Self-centeredness marks the lives of all human beings to a greater or lesser extent.
- You could explore the notion of ‘sinful humanity’ further. It is important to note that sin is not simply a personal choice, and that it can also have a communal or social dimension.
- Where are the effects of human selfishness evident in our world?
- With repentance comes God’s forgiveness and the restoration of our relationship with him. Within the Church, this forgiveness and restoration is offered through the sacrament of reconciliation.
- Where do you experience forgiveness and restoration?
- You could introduce the sacrament of reconciliation, if you have not already done so.
Zacchaeus goes out of his way to encounter Jesus—which is the equivalent of presenting yourself for the sacrament of reconciliation. Zacchaeus also acknowledges his sin and offers to make amends—which is the equivalent of confession and penance (see CCC, §§1422–1470).
- Consider the structure and prayers of the Rite of Reconciliation and use them as a basis for discussion and questions.
Symbols and images
Zacchaeus’ encounter with Jesus prompted him to reassess how he lived in the world and how he related to those around him. He repented from his past wrongs, made restitution and entered into a new way of being. His journey is the same one to which baptism into the Church calls all believers
Living the Word
Practical ideas for group leaders to employ in connecting Scripture and daily life, with suggestions for music and environment
- How does your community make public demonstrations of faith? For example, does it perform a Way of the Cross through the streets at Easter, a nativity play or a celebration of a feast? Discuss how the wider secular community may perceive such public religious actions. How can catechumens become involved in these activities?
- Use the open Scriptures as a focus for prayer. Pray for forgiveness of past transgressions. Pray for each other as you seek Jesus. A suitable song could be Return to God (GA 304). Conclude with the prayer of exorcism in the RCIA at §94K, which speaks of coming to salvation.