Save the Lost – Luke 19:1-10 Reflection
Like Zacchaeus, we can become lost and unaware that we have upwardly prioritized the acceptable amount of our worldliness. The key to our salvation is how we respond to this realization. Permanent salvation requires maintenance, such as continual prayer, processing regrets, and restitution as needed. We must also actively prevent going backward, seek forgiveness, examine our interior self for flaws, and love God and our neighbor. The most challenging transition from being lost and saved is a purgation process that can tug and pull at emotions. Yet, despite the complexity, we should feel compelled to express gratitude for Christ’s help. Perhaps the most significant attitude we can take with Jesus’s help is to humbly proclaim without words our personal “save the lost” Zacchaeus story to and for others in deeds and actions.
Zacchaeus in the Sycamore Awaiting the Passage of Jesus by James Tissot (full-resolution painting)
More details are available on the Brooklyn Museum website.
Additional Ordinary Time Reflections
Luke 19:1-10 – Scripture*
He entered Jericho and was passing through it. 2 A man was there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was rich. 3 He was trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was short in stature. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see him, because he was going to pass that way. 5 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.” 6 So he hurried down and was happy to welcome him. 7 All who saw it began to grumble and said, “He has gone to be the guest of one who is a sinner.” 8 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.” 9 Then Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.”
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on Luke 19:1-10 Reflection – Save the Lost.
Would you like to contribute related thoughts to these Lectio reflections on the Gospel readings? Since Lectio is not the only contemplative payer style, others might appreciate these types of expressions in this ministry. Do you see God’s grandeur everywhere and unconditionally enjoy sharing the love of Christ that you have inside? Are you willing to be anonymous in what you would share? If so, email me.
Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities get to know your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite worldly distractions.
Attributions
*This site has permission to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) Bible Luke 19 Bible passage.
The Immersive Prayer website follows the guidelines for image web use at the Brooklyn Museum and the Jewish Museum websites.
Page and discussion group on these Lectio Divina daily Gospel Readings.
Discussion group on St. John of the Cross.