--- title: Falling Short description: Cait Winters reflects on the story of Zaccheus in today's Gospel. image: https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/20251118%20CWinters%201.png --- [![catholic-mom-logo-v2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/images/catholic-mom-logo-v2.svg "catholic-mom-logo-v2")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) [![search-icon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/search-icon.svg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/falling-short#) [FAITH](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/tag/faith) # Falling Short Nov 18, 2025 7:00:00 AM  |  by [Cait Winters](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/cait-winters) ![featured image](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/20251118%20CWinters%201.png) *Cait Winters reflects on the story of Zaccheus in today's Gospel.* --- The story of Zaccheus, told in the [19th chapter of the Gospel according to Luke](https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/111825.cfm), is one I can relate to as someone of short stature myself. I often find myself climbing countertops to reach serving bowls or popping myself up on a bottom shelf to reach an item at the store. I could easily see myself utilizing a sycamore tree to gaze upon the Lord. Zaccheus was a wealthy tax collector, which made him an unpopular figure. Jesus not only acknowledges Zaccheus’ act of faith by looking up at him in the tree, but asks to stay with him! He uses Zaccheus as an example of His grace by calling him out as a son of Abraham, a son of God.  Jesus knew we would all fall short spiritually, but thanks to His righteousness, even we can be forgiven and included in the Kingdom of Heaven. ![null](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/20251118%20CWinters%202.png?width=1080&height=1350&name=20251118%20CWinters%202.png) ## Examining my Conscience When is the last time I went “out on a limb” for Jesus?  ## Pray with Me  *O Jesus, give us the zeal of Zaccheus, that we may also be called sons and daughters of God.*  ![null](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/20251118%20CWinters%203.png?width=1080&height=1350&name=20251118%20CWinters%203.png) --- Copyright 2025 Cait Winters Images: Canva   ### Share this article [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Ffalling-short%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Ffalling-short%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Ffalling-short%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Falling%20Short) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Ffalling-short%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Ffalling-short%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ** #### About the Author ![Cait Winters](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Cait%20Winters%202024.jpg) ### [Cait Winters](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/cait-winters) Cait Winters is a Massachusetts homeschooling mom of four living a simple life in the forest with her kids, husband and dog. Cait is a psychology student, freelance writer, aspiring author and founder of [MotherhoodThroughTheMysteries.com](https://motherhoodthroughthemysteries.wordpress.com/). A poet at heart, she loves writing about finding God in the midst of everyday moments. For more, visit [Prayers Over The Kitchen Sink](https://prayersoverthekitchensink.blog/) or [CaitlinWinters.Substack.com](https://caitlinwinters.substack.com), or follow on Instagram @prayersoverthekitchensink ## Related Blog Articles [ The Worry Doll Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/the-worry-doll) [ Sealed with a Cross Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/sealed-with-a-cross) [ Saints Over Socials Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/saints-over-socials) ## Comments ## Donate now [![Support Catholic Mom](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545) [![CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png?width=1806&height=731&name=CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png "CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) ##### Subscribe to Catholic Momcast on iTunes or Spotify [![itunes-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/itunes-logo-black.svg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-momcast/id1362352357)[![spotify-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/spotify-logo-black.svg)](https://open.spotify.com/show/15CoipHL7z61IDcYErV0b8?si=hqaQJSxDQgq7S1hxCwsoxQ) ##### CatholicMom on Social Networks [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) ##### About Catholic Mom [Who We Are](https://www.catholicmom.com/about-us) [Contact Us](https://www.catholicmom.com/contact) [Support CatholicMom.com](https://www.catholicmom.com/support-us)   ##### Associated Links [Holy Cross Family Ministries](https://www.hcfm.org/) [Family Rosary](https://www.familyrosary.org/) [Family Theater Productions](https://www.familytheater.org/) [Congregation of the Holy Cross](https://www.holycrossusa.org/) [Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C.](https://www.fatherpeyton.org/) [The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life](https://www.peytonfamilyinstitute.org/) ### **Stay connected!** Don’t miss a thing! 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