The trees we climb to see Jesus

Some people do not open us the possibility to change and hear them say: once a liar, always a liar. But for Zaccheus, the short stature was never an obstacle. The crowd was not an obstacle. the negative comments never pose as hindrance to fulfill his wish and see Jesus. In other words, what we all should have is hope and the determination to achieve our dream as Zaccheus did. Zaccheus looked for a tree to help him carry out the fulfillment of his curiosity. In moments of trial, how many of us can claim the same determination? How many of us conquered the negative attitude of people and went on believing that the destiny is possible? How many of us looked for a tree and kept sight of the Lord?

We too have our own trees. Trees that can give us courage, patience, determination, and persistence to go on with the battle even if it seem so tough and difficult. The sycamore tree of Zaccheus helped him continue the fight to be able to get the crown for life. That tree can also become our own. Forgiveness becomes a tree to the wife of an unfaithful husband. Hope becomes a tree to an only daughter who is a victim of rape. Humility is a tree to someone who stands proud and self-righteous. Love is a tree to a friend who is bursting with hatred and anger. Peace is a tree for one who is much confused about life. They are our sycamore trees. Trees that we can climb to fulfill our goals in becoming united with Christ. Trees that have already led a number of sinners to meet Jesus and hear Him say: "hurry down, I mean to stay at your house today!" They are the trees of change in our lives. Change that should keep us ready to carry the cross with Jesus and offer ourselves for others. Jesus reverberated his call: "Whoever wishes to follow me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow my footsteps". It is in the tree of Jesus, therefore, that our trees are perfected. And it was in the tree of the cross that Jesus first taught us to climb the trees that will perfect us and our salvation.

The possibility for change was open for Zaccheus. He hurried down and welcomed the Lord with a banquet. He did not allow the opportunity to pass by. Our attitude should be one of willingness to rise above our weaknesses and to believe that there is something greater beyond the world could offer. At the coming of the Lord "salvation was given" and God's mercy has opened the eyes of a sinner. It has brought so much hope in the possibility for change no matter how sinful a person can be. It has brought us to understand that the blind can now see, the criminal pardoned, the traitor forgiven, the unfaithful being loved again, the good news brought to the downtrodden. Because in such forgiveness, Christ perfected our sycamore trees in the tree of the cross.

For indeed, no person, like Zaccheus, is sinful enough that he cannot be forgiven. And no sinner is weak enough that he cannot change.

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