WRITTEN TH. KIRYGMA

Today's Gospel passage, my dear brothers and sisters, refers to the meeting of Jesus Christ with the archdeacon Zacchaeus. It is a passage that gives our hearts optimism, hope, courage and certainty for the salvation of our souls.

Zacchaeus was a master builder and of course very rich. Both of these things had turned him away from God and made him cruel and sinful, because the tax collectors were pressing in the collection of taxes. For this reason they were disliked and hated by the people.

We heard in the passage that he persistently asked to see the Lord. He went up to the synagogue, because he was too short to see the Christ who would pass by. He wasn't afraid of being laughed at.

He wanted to know Christ. Would that all Christians today would follow the example of Zacchaeus. Man today is not ashamed when he commits sin, but shows cowardice when it comes to repentance.

In order to sincerely repent, man must first overcome the difficulties and ironies of the world. Man must show the courage of Zacchaeus and persistently ask for Christ's help. Then the Lord will ask us to host him in the «house of our soul». This is what happens when he invites us to participate and receive communion in the Sacrament of the Eucharist. Then man takes Christ into himself and thus gains salvation, that is, Paradise.

When man receives God within himself, he is reconciled with other men. This is what Zacchaeus did. He sold half his property and distributed it to the poor. Thus he gained the love of Christ. This love gave Zacchaeus his salvation. Zacchaeus shows the path that man, if he follows, will meet Christ and be united with him. It is the true way of repentance.

This is the way, my brothers, we must follow and then we too, like Zacchaeus, will hear from our Lord Jesus Christ. «That this day salvation is come to this house, because he also is the son of Abraham.» «For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost.». Amen.

Fr. Mallios