Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through it.
A man named Zacchaeus lived there. He was a tax collector and a wealthy man.
He wanted to see what Jesus was like, but he was short and couldn’t see over the crowd.
So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree. From there, he could see Jesus as he passed by.
When Jesus reached that spot, he looked up and said to him:
“Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for I must stay at your house today.”
So Zacchaeus climbed down and welcomed him happily.
All the people who saw it began to grumble and said:
“He has gone as a guest to the house of a sinner.”
But Zaccheus spoke to Jesus:
“Half of what I own, Lord, I will give to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone, I will pay him back four times as much.”
Looking at him Jesus said:
“Salvation has come to this house today, for he is also a true son of Abraham.
The Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost.”
---- my own,
My encounter with Zacchaeus must be similar to your encounter with Me in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Zacchaeus made a public commitment to make reparation for all his past sins. I accepted his contrition, and forgave all, and in an instant he was restored to good standing with both Me, with God, with himself, and his neighbor.
This is what the Sacrament of Reconciliation does for you, ---- mine. I meet you just where you are. In fact, I seek you out and, without judgment, only with tender compassion and love, I invite you and every sinner to true repentance and to restored intimacy between us. It is here alone that you are forgiven, made a new creation, and are given all the graces and help you need to begin anew.
Partake of this Sacrament often so your soul is always clean, and you are ready to come to Me and live with Me forever when I call you home to Myself.
Zacchaeus made a public commitment to make reparation for all his past sins. I accepted his contrition, and forgave all, and in an instant he was restored to good standing with both Me, with God, with himself, and his neighbor.
This is what the Sacrament of Reconciliation does for you, ---- mine. I meet you just where you are. In fact, I seek you out and, without judgment, only with tender compassion and love, I invite you and every sinner to true repentance and to restored intimacy between us. It is here alone that you are forgiven, made a new creation, and are given all the graces and help you need to begin anew.
Partake of this Sacrament often so your soul is always clean, and you are ready to come to Me and live with Me forever when I call you home to Myself.
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