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First Reading: Wisdom 11:22-12:2
Psalm: 145:1-2, 8-9, 10-11, 13-14
Second Reading: 2 Thessalonians 1:11-2:2
Gospel: Luke 19:1-10
He entered Jericho and was passing through it. A man was there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax-collector and was rich. He was trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycomore tree to see him, because he was going to pass that way. 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.’ So he hurried down and was happy to welcome him. All who saw it began to grumble and said, ‘He has gone to be the guest of one who is a sinner.’ 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.’ Then Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek out and save the lost.’
Anchor Verse
“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
🔎 Lens: The Two Gazes
At the center of the Zacchaeus story is the verb “to seek.” Zacchaeus sought to see who Jesus was, and Jesus declares that the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.1 But notice the order: the first gaze is not that of Zacchaeus, but of Jesus. The merciful gaze of the Lord reaches us before we ourselves realize our need of being saved.2
When the Gospel says Jesus looked up at Zacchaeus in the tree, it presents a beautiful image: if Jesus has to look up, it means he is looking at Zacchaeus from below. This is the history of salvation. God has never looked down on us to humiliate and judge us. On the contrary, He lowered Himself to the point of washing our feet, looking at us from below and restoring our dignity to us.3
Zacchaeus was a publican, indeed the head of the publicans of Jericho. The publicans were tax collectors who collected the tribute that the Jews had to pay to the Roman Emperor, and already for this reason they were considered public sinners. What is more, they often took advantage of their position to extort money from the people. 4 He was rich but despised. When Jesus stopped at his house, it caused a scandal.
Yet Jesus wanted, so to speak, to gamble, and he won the bet. Zacchaeus, deeply moved by Jesus’ visit, decided to change his life, and promised to restore four times what he had stolen. “Today salvation has come to this house,” Jesus says.5
Zacchaeus welcomed Jesus and converted because Jesus first welcomed him. He did not condemn him but he met his desire for salvation.6 The encounter led to concrete restitution. The Catechism teaches that in virtue of commutative justice, reparation for injustice committed requires the restitution of stolen goods to their owner. Jesus blesses Zacchaeus for his pledge: “If I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.”7
Conversion is not just interior feeling. Encountering Love, discovering that he is loved despite his sins, Zacchaeus becomes capable of loving others, turning money from a source of sin to a sign of solidarity and communion.8
Reflection Prompts
- Zacchaeus climbed a tree to see Jesus, making himself look foolish. What small risk might you take this week to get a better view of Christ? Where have you stopped trying because you’re worried about looking ridiculous?
- Jesus called Zacchaeus by name. When have you felt known by God, not just seen? What does it mean that Jesus seeks you before you fully realize you need seeking?
- The crowd grumbled that Jesus went to stay with “a sinner.” Who in your life might you be writing off as beyond reach? What would it look like to see them the way Jesus sees Zacchaeus?
- Zacchaeus immediately promised concrete restitution. If conversion led to repair in your life, what would need to be made right? Is there someone you’ve wronged who deserves more than an apology?
Weekly Practice
At Mass
During the Gospel proclamation, listen for Jesus calling Zacchaeus by name. Notice your interior response when you hear: “I must stay at your house today.” Does that invitation feel like gift or intrusion? Stay curious about your reaction.
After Mass
This week, practice the gaze that restores dignity. When you interact with someone, especially someone you find difficult or frustrating, pause before speaking. Imagine Jesus looking at them from below, not to humiliate but to restore. Let that shift what you say next.
If there’s someone you’ve wronged and it’s been weighing on you, take one concrete step toward making it right. Not just an apology. Restitution. Even if it’s incomplete, even if it costs something. Zacchaeus didn’t wait for permission. He just moved.
Dismissal
Zacchaeus climbed a tree, and salvation came to his house that day. Not because he was worthy. Because Jesus looked up and said, “I must stay with you.”
You’ve heard the story again. Now live it. Take the risk. Accept the invitation. Make the repair.
See you next Sunday.
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