Today’s Gospel is the story of Zacchaeus, and here is part of it; ‘He entered Jericho and was passing through.  And there was a man named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector, and rich. And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not, on account of the crowd, because he was small of stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down; for I must stay at your house today.” So he made haste and came down, and received him joyfully’.

St Augustine commented: ‘The Lord, who had already welcomed Zacchaeus in his heart, was now ready to be welcomed by him in his house. He said, “Zacchaeus, hurry up and come down, since I have to stay in your house.” He thought it was a marvellous piece of good luck to see Christ. While imagining it was a marvellous piece of luck quite beyond words to see him passing by, he was suddenly found worthy to have him in his house. Grace is poured out, and faith starts working through love. Christ, who was already dwelling in his heart, is welcomed into his house’.

The first step is to climb down – compare the ladder of St Benedict, where we ascend by descending, and descend by ascending. Zacchaeus ascended into the Lord’s company, because he was bold enough to climb down, not only from the tree, but also from his previous soul condition of pride and status and riches.

May we do likewise, and know the workings of grace, faith and love. May St Mechtilde pray for us, and may God bless you this day.