Metropolitan Emmanuel of France referred to the Gospel account of Zacchaeus at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Paris yesterday, emphasizing that repentance is not restricted to specific people but can even reach the one that everyone despises and marginalizes.
Zacchaeus the chief tax-collector was hated by all. He was considered a sinner and corrupt. No one expected Jesus to choose to visit his home. And yet, Christ shocked them all and chose him. He saw in his eyes repentance, conversion, change, spiritual rebirth. Our repentance, said the Metropolitan of France, is the one that attracts the mercy of the Lord and transforms us. It regenerates us.
The Metropolitan of France also referred to the reaction of the people. Everyone rushed to criticize Him. They did not expect him to choose a sinner but someone prominent in the community. Someone who is deemed worthy for His visit. Someone pious and moral. Someone who obeys the Law. Someone who stands out for his spirituality. But Jesus proved them wrong. He saw repentance in this despised person. Not to those who took their good mental condition for granted. Not to those who were formalists but to the one who delved into substantial matters. The raw material of salvation which is repentance, concluded the Metropolitan.
Source: Metropolis of France