The way the world looks at a person is entirely different from the way God sees him. When Jesus went to dine with Zacchaeus, the people expressed their hatred in the following words: “All the people who saw it started grumbling, ‘This man has gone as a guest to the home of a sinner!’” (Lk 19:7). But when Zacchaeus stood up and made his confession, Jesus immediately accepted him and gave a new description about him: “Jesus said to him, ‘Salvation has come to this house today, for this man, also, is a descendant of Abraham.’” (Lk 19:9). Let each of us welcome Jesus in our homes, and receive a new description. Let us be willing to accept others’ conversion, and speak generously of them.

Abba, thank You for forgiving our past sins and giving us a new description. Let Your Spirit enable us to live up to the new vocation, in Jesus’ Most Loving Name, Amen.