Today in Luke Jesus stayed and ate with a tax collector, a sinner in the eyes of those around him. He collected taxes for the Romans and made a profit from the deal. It was his job.
So many people read the Gospels about Jesus and his miracles and healing and words about love but still inwardly feel they are not worth Christs love. They are not worthy of forgiveness or even loved.
Others see Jesus as one who belongs to the righteous and the committed disciple who attends mass weekly and tithes and is known in church as a focused Christian. A good Catholic. Their works revolves around the church and worship and God. That’s a good thing. They are living as they should.
But today we are reminded that Jesus came for those who were lost. He came not to just be present in our Eucharist but to be present with those who live on our streets and those in our prisons. He came to be with the ones who are not often seen in churches or the popular gatherings and markets.
He came to those living out there. On the fringes of society and he came to stay with them and eat with them.
Our prayers should always be that Jesus reaches out to those who are not loved so much and those who do not feel lovable at all. So many people we see each day and even work with, feel unlovable and have doubt about their value at all.
Our role is to share the love Jesus has given us and help all men and women see their worth is not in what they have or even what they have done. Our worth, our value stems from being children of God and being loved by God. We need to share that love with those ghosts walking through our life who do not know how much they are loved and prized by the Lord.
That was why Zacchaeus gave half of everything and acted to make amends on his dealings. He immediately saw that this man, this Messiah came for him and saw past his life and actions.
It changed everything about him and everything about his life. For he knew the love of Jesus Christ.
Think of how many people we know who need to have that same moment and feel that same love. How can we show them the love Christ has for them and the value God sees in them.
Deacon Tony Pynes 
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