Zacchaeus, the Tax Collector

Jesus came to Jericho and intended to pass through the town. Now a man there named Zacchaeus, who was a chief tax collector and also a wealthy man, was seeking to see who Jesus was; but he could not see him because of the crowd, for he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus, who was about to pass that way. When he reached the place, Jesus looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house.” And he came down quickly and received him with joy. When they all saw this, they began to grumble, saying, “He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner.” But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone I shall repay it four times over.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house because this man too is a descendant of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost.” (Passage from the Gospel of St. Luke 19:1-10)

Dear Friends,

I was at the Manor yesterday afternoon and a big group came to Holy Mass. I also visited those who were bedridden and gave them Holy Communion. Today I will go to our parish church and spend time in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament exposed on the altar.

(Below you will find the words of Our Lord and Redeemer given to Father Melvin. Jesus gave him these words:)

“I love you, My brother Melvin, and all My brothers and sisters who read My messages every day. The words I address to you every day is to help you come to know Me and to be closely united with Me. Zacchaeus was a man far from Me who was not just with the people he was dealing with. But you know that I came into the world to save you and I decided to bring salvation to Zacchaeus. I went to stay at his house for one night. With this gesture of mine, Zacchaeus was converted and repented of all his sins. After that he followed Me.

I am calling you all to imitate Zacchaeus by repenting of your sins and forgiving those who have hurt you in any way. By doing this you will reflect Me to the others and bring them too to follow Me. I bless you all.””

Father Melvin