The gospel text for today is Luke 19 : 1 - 10.
This is the story of the tax collector Zacchaeus, who was saved and came to faith in Jesus. Tax collectors in Jesus' day were not respected or liked b y the Jewish people because they took money to help the Roman government occupation and often took more money for themselves. He was an outcast.
Jesus associated with the outcasts--he went to Zacchaeus' home for dinner--and so should we. Why? Outcasts already know they are lost and need God. The challenge for the community of God's people is to accept the outcast into our church. Also, people who are rejected have a strong need to belong, especially when they are rejected from their communities and families. Many times they have their needs met by unhealthy situations that bring them a little acceptance: abusive relationships, drugs, alcohol.
May we also welcome these people in the church. May we always recognize the value of the soul that God has created, whether in a person cast out by society or in our own selves. May we welcome these outcasts.
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