Revelation 3:1-6, 14-22 / Luke 19:1-10

How beautiful and moving was Zacchaeus' encounter with Jesus, which the evangelist Luke tells us about today.

Zacchaeus was a sinful man who had become rich unjustly, as a chief tax collector. They worked for the Roman rulers and were hated by the Jews, who considered them traitors to the people.

But Zacchaeus was curious to know Jesus and wanted to change his life and be a better person, a good son of God.

Knowing the sincere desire of Zacchaeus' heart, Jesus created the perfect opportunity! And Zacchaeus took advantage of it!

Visiting Zacchaeus' house, Jesus saw how he sincerely repented of his sins, promising to share his possessions with the poor and return the money to those he had stolen.

The Church - which is us - must reach out to those who have become unjustly rich and proclaim to them Jesus Christ, who wants to forgive them and give them the opportunity for a new life, committed to social justice for the poorest.

The Book of Revelation shocks us with such a direct and expressive message!

The Christians of the first century, after their initial conversion, were living their faith in a mediocre way. They had lost their dynamism and had returned to their old life of sin. They were blind to their own misery and filth.

So Jesus and the Spirit - who correct those they love - invite those Christians to strive to fulfill God's Will in order to achieve salvation.

This correction continues to serve us in the twenty-first century. Unfortunately, we too live our faith without enthusiasm and we urgently need to rekindle our dynamism. Otherwise, we will not participate in the banquet table of life that Christ prepares for us in eternity.

Let us convert ourselves and call others to conversion urgently!