Standing Out

"Now a man there named Zacchaeus, who was a chief tax collector and also a wealthy man, was seeking to see who Jesus was, but he could not see him because of the crowd, for he was short in stature.  So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus who was about to pass that way."         -Luke 19

As I was reading the gospel today.  I felt a connection to Zacchaeus, probably because I, short in stature, would have had to climb a tree in order to see Jesus over the crowd.

But the thought occurred to me, would I have climbed that tree?  Would I be willing to make a spectacle of myself and stand out from the crowd?  Honestly, for most of my life, probably not.  I have always been afraid to put myself out there, and felt more comfortable mixing in with the group.

Not Zacchaeus,  he not only climbed that tree just to see Jesus, but he did it in a place where he was probably not popular.  He was a chief tax collector of Jericho.  He might have swindled some of the people of the town out of their money.  He definitely took their taxes in the name of Rome.  He was living a rich life on the backs of their labor.  I am quite sure the people of the town did not look favorably on him.  But still he went up that tree so everyone can witness his desire to just see Jesus.

Maybe it's time I take Zacchaeus's example.  I'm not going to climb a tree, but I can't be afraid to stand out.  I can't be afraid to put my thoughts and feelings out there for people to see.

I really am starting to believe that this silly little blog might be my calling.  I am a cradle Catholic, and felt that just being part of his flock from birth was good enough.  But its not enough.  I am trying to learn about what it means to be part of God's chosen church.  I am trying to grow in my faith.

I'm not a great writer, but I do believe there are others out there who can benefit from what I am saying here.  Maybe they are on their own spiritual journey, maybe they just want to see what a small (in stature) person wants to say about his worship for The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit-His love for the Virgin Mary-His honor for all the Saints.

I will remember all who read this in my prayers.