Whenever we hear a traffic report about an accident on a highway, we always hear about the traffic jam not only behind the accident but also on the other side called the curiosity factor. We all know if there is a backup, our curiosity gets going and we have to see what’s going on. Curiosity is a basic human emotion that can either get us into trouble or help us to discover something new or at the very least satisfy our need to know.
    In today’s Gospel story, we encounter someone whose curiosity truly paid off in the end. Zacchaeus. He was a tax collector and hence a wealthy man who was short in stature, as St. Luke tells us, but who was very curious about this Jesus who was passing through his town. He couldn’t see above the crowds so he climbed a tree to satisfy that curiosity.
    Low and behold something surprising happened for him. Jesus looked up as He passed beneath him and invited Himself to Zacchaeus home. Clearly he was so touched by this turn of events he not only welcomed Jesus into his home but promised to make amends for his sins. It was a moment of conversion for Zacchaeus. The kindness of Jesus once again was a transforming experience for an obvious sinner. Jesus reached out and drew him to Himself and Zacchaeus was changed.
    Zacchaeus was first curious about Jesus; then he was surprised by Jesus’ response to him; and finally he was accepted and saved. A very powerful transition took place though the feelings of Zacchaeus.
    I think this story reminds us that God uses all of our feelings and emotions to draw us closer to Himself. We are certainly curious about God – wanting to know more and more about who He is; oftentimes we are also surprised by His response to us – that He wants to come and stay at our homes too. Finally, God wants us to feel safe and secure in His gift of salvation.
    To go a step even further, God uses everything and everyone in our lives to draw us closer to Himself – even life’s difficulties and difficult people. That is how deep is God’s desire to have us close to Himself…now and one day eternally in His kingdom of heaven.