Zacchaeus

thumb|Zacchaeus on the sycamore tree, facing Jesus (stained glass window in the church of Saint-Pierre de Neuilly) Saint Zacchaeus (sometimes spelled Zaccheus) is a character in the Gospel of Luke, a chief tax-collector at Jericho. His story includes his generosity in giving away half of all he possessed (Luke 19:1-10). Quotes 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. Gospel of Luke 19:8 NIV. Quotes about 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. Gospel of Luke 19:1-6 NIV. Who could despair of themselves, since even Zacchaeus, who made his living from fraud, came to faith? Saint Ambrose of Milan, The Exposition of the Gospel according to Luke 8:86; quoted in Frédéric Manns, Desideravo vederti e ho scoperto di essere visto in anticipo da te Zaccheo l'impuro purificato, osservatoreromano.va, 19 June 2021 (in Italian). The story of Zacchaeus appears to be a reflection of an authentic evangelical conversion: in fact, by welcoming the Lord into his home and making amends for the injustices he had committed in his work, he sets a wonderful example of love for God and for his brothers and sisters. Pope John Paul II, Homily on occasion of the beatification of Giacomo Cusmano, Domenico Iturrate Zubero and Geremia de Valacchia, 30 October 1983 (in Italian). Zaccheus heDid climb the treeOur Lord to see. The New England Primer (ed. 1777) External links Zacchaeus Category:1st century deaths Category:Jews Category:People from the Bible Category:Catholic saints