During Jesus' time on earth, Jericho was considered a city of affluence and arrogance. Zacchaeus, the chief tax collector of the city, fit in well with the spirit of Jericho, for he was also affluent and arrogant. However, when Zacchaeus came down from the sycamore tree he had climbed, he began to come down off his pedestal of pride, even in the midst of a city of pride.

Jesus commanded Zacchaeus to come down out of the tree and to "make it snappy" (see Lk 19:5). We naturally don't want to take orders, and we don't want to be told to hurry. When Zacchaeus obeyed these commands, he was humbling himself. Then Jesus invited Himself to be a guest at Zacchaeus' house (Lk 19:5). Naturally, we want to do our own inviting. But again Zacchaeus humbled himself. Next, Zacchaeus heard himself called a "sinner" (Lk 19:7). Jesus Himself said Zacchaeus was "lost" (Lk 19:10). No matter how lost and sinful we are, we don't want to admit it, and we don't want others to say it. Yet again Zacchaeus was humble. He humbly accepted salvation for himself and his house (Lk 19:9). He humbled himself further by promising to give half of his possessions to the poor and to make fourfold restitution to anyone he may have defrauded (Lk 19:8).

Is your nation full of pride and arrogance? In this place of pride, be like Zacchaeus in humility.

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, March 11, 2019

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