Up A Tree

Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through it. A man was there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was rich. He was trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see him, because he was going to pass that way. When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today.” So he hurried down and was happy to welcome him. All who saw it began to grumble and said, “He has gone to be the guest of one who is a sinner.” Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much.” Then Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.” Luke 19:1-10

Loving Creator, you see us all

when we are barely able to walk

when we are hiding from ourselves

and when we are seeking a way home.

You have told us that your salvation

is found in our willingness to share

to reconcile and repay the wounded

and to love with  sacred generosity.

Your disciples did not want to eat

with the outcasts and great sinners

yet you sought out Zacchaeus

teaching us all how to truly love.

Help us to welcome everyone

those we have trouble loving

for you promise us all blessings

as we love those who have been set aside. Amen,