Daily Inspiration

“At that time Jesus came to Jericho and intended to pass through the town. Now a man there named Zacchaeus, who was a chief tax collector and also a wealthy man, was seeking to see who Jesus was; but he could not see him because of the crowd, for he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see Jesus, who was about to pass by that way. When he reached the place, Jesus looked up and said, “Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house.” And he came down quickly and received him with joy. When they saw this, they began to grumble, saying, “He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner.” But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone I shall repay it four times over.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house because this man too is a descendant of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost.” -Luke 19:1-10

At times, we may be like Zacchaeus, who was both physically and spiritually short in stature. When we struggle to see past the distractions of the world, like Zacchaeus, we must climb the sycamore God has placed along our way.

Each soul has been blessed with a cross to bear. If you want to see the Savior, climb up upon the wood of that cross, and you will have the clearest view of Jesus.

Interestingly, the Lord chose a sycamore as Zacchaeus’ vantage point. The sycamore tree sheds its heavier outer bark in plates, revealing a lighter color underneath. Just as our cross sheds the plate of sin covering our souls, it reveals Christ to us, who brings salvation to the lost souls who seek Him.

Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne, pray for us.

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Jesus, I trust in you.