Sunday of Zacchaeus

The Gospel for this Sunday [Luke 19.1-10] tells us about the publican Zacchaeus. As Jesus passes through Jericho, this rich tax collector climbs a tree, the better to see him. Our Lord, having caught sight of Zacchaeus, says to him: “Zacchaeus, make haste to come down; for I must stay at your house today.” Jesus’ words to Zacchaeus remind us of those from the Book of Revelation which are so moving: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me” [3.20]. Jesus is saying to us what he says to Zacchaeus: he wants to come to our home, into our soul – not in a few days’ time or tomorrow – but at this very instant.
The Epistle read today [Hebrews 13.7-16] is that appointed for the Feast of the Three Holy Hierarchs and speaks to us of the shepherds of the Church.