As you begin your scripture reading, consider last week’s scriptures and return to any that are staying with you. Or, once again take time to read and consider the scripture below.
Listen to the audio
Luke 19:1-10 Jesus loves Zacchaeus even though everyone else scorns him. At the time of Zaccaeus, tax-collectors, of which he was one, were scorned as dishonest, untrustworthy, and sinners of the worst kind. Zacchaeus was an outsider, with probably few friends.
Presence: Sit quietly for 2 minutes, repeating: I draw near to you Jesus; hear my prayer.
Read the scripture: Luke 19:1-10 twice—both silently and aloud.
Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.
When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.
All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.”
But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.”
Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
Gospel Contemplation
Imagine the scene—see the crowds pressing in on Jesus on a hot dusty day. Listen to the calls of the people for Jesus. Feel the heat of the day. Where do you see yourself in the story? Who were you in the story? Stay with the story for a minimum of 5 minutes, allowing God to unfold the story.
Reflect on your prayer experience and its impact and meaning for your life.
Journal your prayer and experience of this time.
