I am a fan of Lent. The giving and the sacrificing — well yes, there’s that. But I am a great fan of the focus on my relationship with God; the centring, the coming home to Christ. I’m like a young person (though I’m not a young person) who leaves home and fills my days up with life and racket and then I come back home to get my laundry done, for focus and clarity and love and guidance. And I always hope I won’t leave home again, but I do because I have to, and I am expected to, but not on my own and with more rigour than last year. This wonderful prayer by Joyce Rupp was actually suggested to me by Anne. She just casually flicked it to me in an email with Anne-typical quiet ease with great ideas. It is so perfect that I know that Jesus prompted her with all of us in mind, because he knows what we need. So thank you, Jesus and Anne, and a nourishing, loved, fruitful Lent to you all, my companions of the Cenacle.
— Clare Barrett, Waikanae Companion
Zacchaeus was trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was short in stature. So he ran ahead of the crowd and climbed a sycamore tree to see Jesus … When Jesus came to the tree, he looked up into its branches and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today.” So Zacchaeus hurried down and was overjoyed to welcome Jesus.
Luke 19: 3–6
Jesus, this Lent I am yearning to wear a Zacchaeus heart. I am wanting to hear you call my name just as you did his.
I am anxious to know that you are inviting yourself to my home. I am humbled, amazed, excited, and astounded, just as he was.
But that is where the desire to wear a Zacchaeus heart stops, because I know what happens when you visit someone’s house. Conversations occur. Choices are presented. Changes happen.
That’s because you look for more than dust when you come to visit and you talk about things more vital than the weather.
You move into the heart’s dimension.
You gaze deeply. You don’t just dwell. You interact. You activate.
You dwell so lovingly that the truth cannot be resisted.
This Lent help me to welcome you and yearn for your love.
Give me a Zacchaeus heart that turns around and sees the truth. I need the gaze of your love to remind me of my truest self.
I, too, need the strong call to make amends and start anew.
Hurry, Jesus, come and stay at my house today.
From Out of the Ordinary: Prayers, Poems, and Reflections for Every Season by Joyce Rupp
Photo of Clemens praying at Separation Wall, Bethlehem, Palestine.
Taken by Bro Peter Bray, FSC
Some extra suggestions to add to your own ideas for this meditation over the month:
Sit with Jesus and raise with him what concerns you.
Tell him about your concerns for the world or what you need help with. Pray with him about these things. What does he say to you?
Zacchaeus acted and gave hospitality.
How are you being invited to act regarding the situations you are praying for?