We hear the familiar story of Zaccheus today in our Gospel from St Luke. To me, the story of Zaccheus is one of the most vivid imaginative stories in sacred scripture. Here is this short little man who climbs up a tree in order to get a better view of Jesus. So what is Zaccheus’ background. First, we know that he has a Hebrew name which means just one or righteous one or pure one. So, even though we don’t know the events, circumstances or issues surrounding Zaccheus’ life, it would be reasonable to assume he came from an observant Jewish family if he had such a name as this.
How did someone like Zaccheus become a chief tax collector? Tax collectors in Israel were cooperating with the Roman authorities. They were seen as the worst of the worst by the Jews in Israel: betrayers who turned against their own people. Chief tax collectors would have been shunned by the Jewish people. They would have had considerable wealth, but few friends and few social connections. There would not have been a lot of hope in their lives. But Jesus can see beyond this. He sees what a person can become. He sees how faith can transform a person, even if that faith starts out with just a curiosity or a small little glimmer the size of a mustard seed. No matter what a person’s history or circumstances may be, that person can be transformed by their relationship with Christ. So even though the rest of society did not see any good in Zaccheus, Jesus saw the possibilities that were present in him.
In the story of Zaccheus, we see the portrait of a man who has repented, who has changed his life and has changed the way he sees things. In his giving of his possessions to the poor and providing restitution to those he has wronged, Zaccheus shows us his sorrow and his sincerity. Jesus sees Zaccheus as a son of Abraham, as a person of faith who has truly repented and has amended his ways. Let us identify with Zaccheus today. Let us follow in his footsteps of faith.
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