PENANCEKEEP LOVE ALIVEPART 1: THE STORY OF ZACCHAEUS

SOME TIMES PEOPLE WANT TO GET EVEN When something you have is broken, are you hurt or

disappointed?

What do you say?

I heard people say, “who did this?” I will find out and I will get even!

When someone hurts us, sometimes we want to hurt the person to get even!

Some times is hard to forgive,

There is someone to whom we can turn, whenever we are hurt or disappointed or sad.

People knew this, when Jesus lived among them.

They were not afraid to bring their problems and sickness to him.

MANY CROWDS AROUND JESUS

We can read in the Bible, that many times there were large crowds around Jesus

THE CRIPPLE came to him, and he cured them so that they could walk.

THE BLIND came, so they could see

Think about the Paralytic who needed the help of their friends, to carry him to Jesus, so that he could receive his healing touch!

To these people, and to many other whom He cured, Jesus said: “Peace be with you. Go and sin no more.”

A LITTLE MAN NAME ZACCHAEUS

Today, I going to tell you a story from the Bible: a story about the time when Jesus went to the village of Jericho.

Large crowds gathered to welcome him. They were excited to see him!

Most especially, there was a little man name Zacchaeus, a rich tax collector.

He tried to see Jesus but he was too small,

and the crowds were too large. He had an idea.

He ran ahead. He climbed the tree and sat in the tree to wait for Jesus.

Can you imagine how excited he was? He would even climb a tree, just to see Jesus!

JESUS CAME TO THE TREE AND TALK TO ZACCHAEUS

Pretty soon, Jesus Came to the tree, and he looked up where Zacchaeus was.

He said, “Zacchaeus, come down from that tree.

I wan to spend some time with you today!

I wan to talk to you.”

Zacchaeus was so excited! He never dreamed that Jesus would want to talk to him, and maybe even come to his home!

JESUS WENT TO ZACCHAEUS’ HOME

As they went to Zacchaeus’ home, the people of the village were talking.

They were complaining about Zacchaeus, and wondering out loud if Jesus really knew what kind of man he was.

Did Jesus know that Zacchaeus got most of him money by cheating people?

They were talking quiet a bit!

Do you think that Jesus knew what was in the heart of Zacchaeus?

Let us go inside and see what happens:

ZACCHAEUS: “I WANT TO CHANGE”

Inside, Zacchaeus had prepared a delicious meal for Jesus. They were enjoying his meal very much.

Zacchaeus was sitting with Jesus,

when Zacchaeus finished the meal, Zacchaeus said to Jesus,

“Lord, I know that I have cheated many people. I want to change.

I promise you that I will pay back all the people whom I have cheated: 4 times the amount of money!

And that is not all, Lord, I want to do more.

Whatever money is left after, I pay everyone back,

I want to give half of that money to the poor.”

HEALING AND SALVATION HAS COME TO YOU

Jesus was so happy! He said to Zacchaeus, “Today, healing and salvation has come to you”

Now we know that Jesus meant when he said, “I have come to seek out the lost, and to heal the sinner.”

Jesus was happy to seek out the lost and heal the sinner.

We should be glad that the lost or sinners come closer to Jesus, too.

THE DAY OF RESURRECTION

On the night of Resurrection, the Apostles were gathered in the room where they had the Last Super with Jesus.

They were frightened.

They didn’t know what would happen to them.

They were still talking about Jesus, their friend.

All of sudden, in the middle of the room, there He stood!

What do you think his first words would be to his friends? What would he say?

He said to them: “Peace!

they were little frightened! They thought He was a host.

But then Jesus showed them the nail marks in his hands and the wound in his side.

And they knew it was him! They were son happy!

ANY WHOSE SINS YOU WILL BE FORGIVEN WILL BE FORGIVEN

Jesus said something very important; important for them and important for us, too.

He said: “Just as the Father sent me, so I send you. Anyone whose sins you will be forgiven will be forgiven.”

Jesus was asking his Apostles to continues the work that he had done in his life and to do it with his Spirit.

Jesus was not just sending his Apostles out,

he was giving them the power to forgive sins!

A priest stole, it looks like a scarf.

It is a sign or symbol of the Priest’s power to forgive sins.

He wears it during the Sacrament of Penance or Reconciliation. It is also part of his vestments during Mass.

WE NEED TO RECONCILE TO MAKE UP LIKE ZACCHAEUS DID

It is easy to believe that God loves us when we are good and kind, isn’t it?

What about the times when we are not so good and not so kind?

WE NEED TO RECONCILE to make up, in as loving way, like Zacchaeus did.

Look at people around you every day, and see where forgiveness is needed.

Forgive in your heart and in your words.

Accept forgiveness and apologies.

Remember the story of Zacchaeus,

Do you know someone who is like a Zacchaeus, and others talk about him like people talked about Zacchaeus?

What do you think Jesus would do in your place?