Daily Gospel Reflection for November 21, 2023

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Today's Gospel: Luke 19:1-10

As a preschool Sunday school teacher for many years, I learned the song, "Zacchaeus Was a Wee Little Man." Every year when we read today’s Gospel, I would teach it to the kids.They loved it so much we would sing it throughout the rest of the year.

Perhaps the kids were amazed that Jesus went to Zacchaeus’ house, that Zacchaeus climbed the tree to see Jesus, or that he was a wee little man, but for me this Gospel goes much deeper. I think that I have been Zacchaeus many times in my life, especially during trials or traumatic moments.

It seems that when I look for Jesus in those moments and I can’t see Him or feel Him, I get lost in the crowd. It is not the crowd that keeps me from seeing Him but my lack of faith and surrender. Zacchaeus found the tree to climb to see Jesus, so what can be my tree? The Surrender Novena, The Divine Mercy Chaplet, Adoration?

What matters is not how we get closer to Jesus to see Him or feel His presence during our trials, but that we persevere like Zacchaeus. If you feel like you can’t climb the tree to find Him or feel His presence, just say His name and ask Him to show Himself to you and He will.

Ponder:

What can I do daily to stay close to Jesus?

Pray:

Lord, please bring me closer to You and let me feel Your presence today.

Click to tweet:
If you feel like you can’t climb the tree to find Him or feel His presence, just say His name and ask Him to show Himself to you and He will. #DailyGospel

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