Think Big

Think Big
#12thandMass
October 25, 2022

Zacchaeus was “short in stature”, as we read in this Sunday’s gospel passage (Luke 19:1-10).  He was height-challenged.  A detail we perhaps overlook and might not consider a big deal.  Being small, however, for some, can be a big deal. It might have been for Zacchaeus.  Depending on how small he was, he may have been prohibited from full participation in the liturgy of ancient Israel.  Indeed, in Leviticus, chapter 21, we read “no one who has a blemish shall draw near (to offer the food of his God), one who is blind or lame, or one who has a mutilated face or a limb too long, or one who has a broken foot or a broken hand, or a hunchback, or a dwarf…”  Zacchaeus does not let this, however, be an obstacle to encounter.  And Jesus responds to his hopefulness, and, in this welcoming encounter, Jesus lifts the prohibition.  Our difficulty need not hinder our movement towards Christ, our worship; au contraire, a springboard it can be.Jesus indeed encounters and welcomes each of us in our challenges, in our brokenness of body or psyche or heart.  He comes to the home of our hearts to stay.  Such indwelling sets us free.  His presence does not necessarily heal all things (alas!).  His presence liberates our hearts to love more, even making mysterious use of the challenges to do so.  

Let us eagerly welcome Jesus.

Yours in Him,

Dominique
pastor

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