Christian Art | Conversion Of Zacchaeus | King James Audio Bible KJV
Luke 19: 1-10 – Week 33 Ordinary Time, Tuesday (Audio Bible KJV, Spoken Word)
1 AND Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.
2 And, behold, there was a man named Zacchæus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.
3 And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.
4 And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.
5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchæus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.
6 And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.
7 And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.
8 And Zacchæus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.
9 And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.
10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
In Jericho, we approach the end of Jesus’ journey. It was in Jericho that the long road of exodus of forty years in the desert ended. For Jesus and his fellow pilgrims, this is the last stage before the ascent to Jerusalem. Jesus’ mission on Earth is soon to be complete.
Once again, we hear a lesson in salvation, coupled with the grumblings of those fail to see that what Jesus is doing is only good. Zacchaeus is a publican, a tax collector, and so he is accounted as being a collaborator with the occupying Roman power, a sinner, who has furthermore grown rich from his position; the people must have hated him.
Zacchaeus is desperate to see Jesus, and he goes to great lengths to do so. Jesus responds, and now Zacchaeus’s life is renewed. This is conversion. Christ will enter under his roof and his soul shall be healed. It is a joyful occasion, shared by our Lord and a penitent sinner, who now desires to make restitution and to give a large part of his wealth to the poor. One more of God’s lost sheep has come home.
Almighty God,
open our hearts to work more zealously
for the salvation of the world,
so that your Church
may bring us and all men into your presence.
Through Christ our Lord.
King James Audio Bible | Endnotes
Zacchæus Proves Himself A Son Of Abraham | Love Revealed By Jesus Christ
Zacchaeus was a tax collector, a ‘publican’, a profession that was not only unpopular but also deemed to be sinful by many Jews. Tax collectors were seen as traitors to their own people because they worked for the Roman authorities and often extorted more money than was required. They were despised and ostracized by the Jewish community, and Zacchaeus was no exception.
Despite his unpopularity, Zacchaeus was curious about Jesus and eager to see Jesus. When Zacchaeus heard that Jesus was passing through Jericho, he climbed a sycamore tree to get a better view. This act of climbing a tree may seem trivial, but it is actually symbolic of Zacchaeus’ desire to seek out Jesus and his willingness to humble himself before Jesus. It is also a reminder that sometimes, to truly see Jesus, we need to change our perspective and look beyond our usual assumptions and prejudices.
When Jesus saw Zacchaeus in the tree, Jesus not only spoke to Zacchaeus but also invited himself to stay at Zacchaeus’ house. This was a significant gesture, as it meant that Jesus was willing to associate with someone who was considered to be a sinner and an outcast. It also showed Jesus’ desire to reach out to those who were marginalized and to offer them the gift of salvation.
The response of the crowd to Jesus’ decision to stay at Zacchaeus’ house was one of disapproval and criticism. They grumbled and complained, saying that Jesus was going to stay with a sinner. But Zacchaeus was transformed by this encounter with Jesus. Zacchaeus recognized the error of his ways and promised to make amends by giving half of his possessions to the poor and by repaying anyone he had cheated four times the amount.
This act of repentance and restitution demonstrated Zacchaeus’ faith in Jesus and his desire to live a righteous life. In response, Jesus declared that salvation had come to Zacchaeus’ house and that he was a son of Abraham. This declaration was not only a statement of Zacchaeus’ inclusion in the family of faith, but also a rebuke to the crowd who had judged and excluded him. It showed that no one is beyond the reach of God’s grace and that even the most despised and marginalized can be welcomed into the family of faith.
To be called a ‘son of Abraham’ in the Biblical context holds significant meaning. It is a term used to describe a person who has faith in God and is part of the covenant between God and Abraham.
In Genesis 12:1-3, God promises Abraham that he will make him into a great nation, and that through him, all nations will be blessed. This promise is fulfilled through the birth of Isaac, and then through Jacob, who becomes the father of the twelve tribes of Israel. Throughout the Old Testament, the term ‘son of Abraham’ is used to describe the descendants of Jacob and the Israelites as a whole.
However, in the New Testament, the term ‘son of Abraham’ takes on a broader meaning. It is used to describe anyone who has faith in God, regardless of their ethnic or cultural background. This is evident in the story of Zacchaeus, who despite being a despised tax collector and an outsider, is declared a ‘son of Abraham’ by Jesus himself.
Being a son of Abraham, therefore, is not simply a matter of lineage or ancestry, but rather a matter of faith and obedience to God. As Saint Paul writes in Galatians 3:7: ‘Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham.’ This means that anyone who has faith in God, like Zacchaeus, is part of the same covenant that God made with Abraham and is part of the family of faith.
In essence, being a ‘son of Abraham’ means that one is part of the story of God’s redemptive work in the world. It means being part of the community of faith that spans generations and cultures, and sharing in the promises that God made to Abraham so long ago. As Jesus said in John 8:56: ‘Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad.’ To be a son of Abraham is to be part of that same rejoicing, and to share in the joy and hope that comes from faith in Jesus.
Psalm 84 expresses human yearning for divine presence. The psalm begins with an exclamation of admiration: ‘How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts!’ The term ‘tabernacles’ here refers to the sacred dwelling places of God. The psalmist’s words convey awe and reverence for the sanctuaries where God is believed to reside. This opening sets the tone for a poetic exploration of the soul’s yearning for proximity to the sacred [ … ]
The meditation on the love of Jesus Christ on Palm Sunday is struck by the imagery of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, though on a donkey. Crowds of people gathered around Jesus, laying down their cloaks and palm branches before Jesus, shouting ‘Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!’ (Matthew 21:9, KJV) [ … ]
Padre Pio, also known as Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, was an Italian Capuchin friar who lived from 1887 to 1968. He is renowned for his piety, his stigmata, and his gift of healing, and has become a beloved figure in the Christian world. Born into a devout Catholic family in Pietrelcina, Italy, Padre Pio felt a calling to the priesthood from a young age. He entered the Capuchin order in 1903 and was ordained a priest in 1910. He spent much of his life as a humble friar, dedicated to prayer, the sacraments, and the service of others. Padre Pio’s most famous spiritual gift was the stigmata, the visible wounds of Christ that he bore on his hands, feet, and side. He experienced this phenomenon for over 50 years, from 1918 until his death in 1968. While some were skeptical of his wounds, many believed them to be a sign of his profound union with Christ and his participation in the suffering of the crucified Christ. In addition to his stigmata, Padre Pio was also known for his gift of healing. Many people came to him seeking physical, emotional, and spiritual healing, and he prayed over them, sometimes prescribing special devotions or treatments. While some were healed miraculously, others did not experience a physical cure, but nonetheless found comfort and peace through his intercession. Padre Pio’s life was marked by his devotion to God and his love for others. He spent long hours in prayer, often in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, and had a deep appreciation for the power of the Eucharist. He also had a special love for the Virgin Mary, whom he called his ‘Heavenly Mother’, and encouraged others to pray the Rosary. Today, Padre Pio is venerated as a saint by the Catholic Church, and his influence has spread far beyond Italy. He is remembered for his holiness, his humility, and his profound union with Christ, as well as for his compassion and concern for the sick and suffering. Christians of all denominations continue to look to him as a model of faith and devotion to God. Prayer To Saint Padre Pio | A Prayer For Healing Saint Padre Pio is renowned for his gift of healing, which he used to help countless people throughout his life. He believed in the power of prayer and the importance of placing our trust in God, even in the face of illness and suffering. In James 5:16, we are reminded that ‘the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective’. Padre Pio’s life was a testament to the truth of this verse, as he interceded for those who came to him seeking physical, emotional, and spiritual healing. One of the most striking examples of Padre Pio’s healing ministry was the case of Gemma Di Giorgi, a young girl who had been diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. Her parents brought her to Padre Pio, who prayed over her and blessed her with the sign of the cross. To the amazement of her doctors, Gemma’s condition began to improve, and she was eventually healed completely. In addition to physical healing, Padre Pio also believed in the importance of emotional and spiritual healing. He often spoke of the need for repentance and conversion, and encouraged his followers to turn to God with contrite hearts. In Luke 5:31-32, Jesus tells the Pharisees, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.’ Padre Pio understood that true healing involves not only the body, but also the soul. For those who are in need of healing, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual, Saint Padre Pio can serve as a powerful intercessor. He believed in the importance of prayer and the power of God’s grace to heal even the most difficult of cases. Through his intercession, we can ask God for the strength and courage to face our illnesses and our struggles, knowing that we are never alone and that God’s healing love is always with us. So let us pray: ‘Saint Padre Pio, you who had a deep faith in God and a profound love for your fellow human beings, we turn to you in our time of need. We ask for your intercession on behalf of all those who are sick and suffering, that they may be healed in body, mind, and spirit. We ask that you pray for us, that we may have the strength and courage to face our illnesses and our struggles with faith and hope, knowing that God is with us always. We trust in God’s love and mercy, and in the power of prayer to bring healing and wholeness to all who seek it. Saint Padre Pio, pray for us, and lead us to the healing grace of God. Amen.’ Prayer To Saint Padre Pio | A Prayer For Peace Saint Padre Pio was a man of peace, who lived his life in the service of God and his fellow human beings. He believed that peace was not merely the absence of conflict, but a state of inner harmony that could only be achieved through a deep and abiding relationship with God. In John 14:27, Jesus tells his disciples, ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.’ Padre Pio understood the importance of this peace, and dedicated his life to helping others find it. One of the ways that Padre Pio fostered peace was through his ministry of reconciliation. He encouraged those who came to him to confess their sins and seek God’s forgiveness, knowing that this was the first step towards inner peace. In Matthew 5:9, Jesus says, ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.’ Padre Pio believed that this was not just a call to be a mediator in conflicts between […]
