Zealous Zacchaeus 

Source: St. Elizabeth Convent
Scampering like a squirrel
up a shady Sycamore tree,
the small man
peered through the leafy branches
oozing curiosity.

Who was this man who drew people
like flies to the honeypot
in warm, dusty Jericho?

Stretched on a limb he gasped
as the teacher looked up
and caught his eye
inviting himself to dinner that night.

Shock arose in the murmuring crowd
and more in the tax collector
deemed a sinner
by the throng of sneering onlookers.

In a wondrous instant
Zacchaeus grew by leaps and bounds
ready to return
his cheating spoils
to the annoyed people.

Flooded with divine light
he who was lost
was suddenly found
by a loving Saviour,
rejoicing in the power of now
and table fellowship.

Salvation had arrived
in a unique way
sprinkled with
bursts of joy,
for the one once small
had grown so tall.       

(based on Luke 19:1-10)      

Viola Athaide, a student of Theology, is actively involved in parish life, leading Bible courses, the Prayer Group, and the Ministry with Maturing Adults.

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10 Comments
  • Teresa.correia
    Posted at 08:28h, 29 April Reply

    As always, beautiful Viola!

  • Peter Bisson
    Posted at 09:13h, 29 April Reply

    Thank hank you Viola!

  • Harriet
    Posted at 11:11h, 29 April Reply

    So true and touching

  • Sylvia Lee
    Posted at 13:54h, 29 April Reply

    Thank you for your poem, Viola. I leap with joy while reading it.
    God bless you.

  • Mike Hyland
    Posted at 14:12h, 29 April Reply

    Conversion is such a beautiful thing when it happens. Why is it that we react with indignation? Perhaps the older son in us still requires our own conversion.
    As always, well done Viola! Thanks.

  • Philip Chircop
    Posted at 14:24h, 29 April Reply

    Thank you Viola. May we, embracing our smallness, come back down to earth boldly and fearlessly, hoping to be stretched into fresh ways of seeing and being.

  • Maria Lobo
    Posted at 19:30h, 29 April Reply

    VIOLA: Your gift for creative writing…be it in verse or in prose…truly inspires us to reflect and ponder about our ever-loving and all-merciful God. Waiting for more……!

  • Linda R Rego
    Posted at 22:39h, 29 April Reply

    I love this reflection on Zacchaeus.

  • Barbara French
    Posted at 11:52h, 09 May Reply

    Delightful re- telling of a familiar tale!

  • Karen Arthurs
    Posted at 11:18h, 13 May Reply

    Your vivid description of Zacchaeus embracing the power of now, enlightens the reader to be just as spontaneous in seeing the light of the moment.

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