On Luke 19:1-10
I can imagine that from that tall sycamore tree, the Lord invited
the small statured Zaccheus to come down. Zaccheus who was bitterly accused by the
community to be a sinner for being a tax collector is the same person whom Jesus
himself chose to stay and eat with his disciples. Significantly, Zaccheaus who
was afar where Jesus was preaching was hand-picked by the Lord himself; and was
invited by the Lord himself.
Going to our own vocation story, perhaps similarly, Jesus’
call to each one of us is so much personal and unique. Like Zacchaeus and the
disciples, we are all called to respond to God’s call. But primarily, we are
all called first to holiness. From Zacchaeus, I understand the work of the
grace of God even Zacchaeus remained to live his ordinary life. With his
immediate response to Jesus’ invitation he embraced a deeper and a newer
mission in life which is to remain holy in the ordinariness of his life. Zacchaeus
from that time on became a witness to God’s love as he expressed it through his
sincere love of his neighbors.
By loving our neighbor we experience the presence of God’s kingdom
in our midst. It is easily said than done. For me, I found it hard to walk the talk.
I must admit that I am, most of the time, so incorrigible and uncharitable to
you as my brothers. Unlike the changed Zaccheaus, I am a hypocrite follower of
Christ because my life has not been a good example of bearing witness to
Christ. Kaya nga most of the time,
lagi ko na lang sinasabi kay God, “God, hindi ko na po kayang magbago… Kayo na
lang po ang bumago sa akin, sumusuko na ako.”
But there is something different about God. Beyond the sinfulness
of a person he always sees the potential within him. Nakita nya ito kay Zacchaeus.
Nakita ni God na bukas ang puso ni Zacchaeus para manahan ang Espiritu ng
Panginoon upang doon dumaloy ang grasya at pagpapala ng Diyos.
Perhaps, this is how I understand God who works his act of mercy on me.
It is through this mysterious grace slowly unfolding in me that my life is
clinging into. Metanoia, the change of heart and mind is a grace of God. It is an
act faith by totally surrendering to God’s will because of our love for God.
Truly, Zacchaeus was a follower of God worth emulating. Zaccheus’ simple life
became God’s sign by becoming a true witness to the love of God.
