Christ calls us to meet people where they are — even if they are just next door. ---------------------------------------- When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today.” — Luke 19:5 Luke 19:1-10 19:1 He entered Jericho and was passing through it. 19:2 A man was there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was rich. 19:3 He was trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was short in stature. 19:4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see him, because he was going to pass that way. 19:5 When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today. 19:6 So he hurried down and was happy to welcome him. 19:7 All who saw it began to grumble and said, He has gone to be the guest of one who is a sinner. 19:8 Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much. 19:9 Then Jesus said to him, Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham. 19:10 For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost. -------------------------------------------- I’ve traveled to more than 50 countries. I’ve seen people living in the lap of luxury and on the edge of poverty. I’ve met and worked with people of all faiths, socioeconomic classes, and political persuasions. I’ve learned that what people want most, no matter where they reside, is to live and love, enjoy their friends and family, and provide a better future for their children. Yet our perception of differences can create misunderstanding and a sense that “we” are right, so “they” must be wrong. Even though we may feel compassion or sympathy for others, we may find it difficult to reach out to them — to go to their place as Jesus did with Zacchaeus. Jesus called Zacchaeus from that tree and went to his place — the place where he ate and slept and lived with his family. Jesus didn’t ask him to come down and head for the nearest church. If we are to follow the call of Christ, we must go where people are to truly know them. If we really want to reach them, we may even have to climb some trees. But when we do, the view might be amazing. Teresa Cannady (Florida, USA) Father, thank you for the differences that make us unique. Teach us to meet people wherever they are and share your love with them. Amen.
Posted on: Tue, 28 Jan 2014 16:32:34 +0000
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