Today in the Holy Gospel we have heard the name, that we all hear while we are blessing the houses: “…even as He brought salvation to the house of Zacchaeus” – says the prayer.

Or, as we have just prayed during the Baptismal blessing of houses: “…Who condescended to enter under the roof of Zacchaeus, to bring salvation to him and to all his house…”

And The Old Testament Church used to be referred as the house of Abraham, and of all his righteous descendants, Isaac, Jacob.

And the verses we read during the Holy Theopahny are calling for the house of God which at that time was the Old Testament people – and now the Holy Church – to confess that the Lord is good; for His mercy endures forever.

At the time of the Old Testament saints, they were the examples of righteousness. They were chosen and tested, touched by God, — to tempt and check as for what they really depended on, what and whom they really trusted…

Today we hear about the house of Zacchaeus.

The man of a low statue (not very tall), who was also chosen by God to host Him.

The man of a low respect… Or, as St. Ignatius (Brianchaninov) says in him homily: “…Zacchaeus, was a publican with seniority over other publicans. He possessed significant wealth, as the Gospels relate, hinting about the way he obtained that wealth. “Publicans” were what they called tax collectors. It was tempting money! The sparkle of gold and silver charms the eyes of Adam’s descendants infected with sinfulness, and where money passes from hand to hand, abuse almost inevitably creeps in…” And then he also says: “a sinner given to the passion of greed, acting out of this passion by unjust tax collection and a multiplicity of offenses against his neighbor.”

But the Gospel disappoints this “natural” state of things:

“Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have wronged any man of any thing, I restore him fourfold [four times].”

And “Jesus said to him: This day has salvation come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

Again, … to seek and to save that which was lost.” Not those who are satisfied and content, especially, by the righteousness of the others: “Create a worthy fruit of repentance. And do not think to say in yourself: “our father is Abraham,” for I tell you that God can raise children from the[se] stones to Abraham.” (Matthew, chapter 3)

And this tax-collector didn’t say: I’m so very glad to see you, O Lord, I’m Zacchaeus, the son of Abraham… So, what can I do for you?

Instead, he told: I’m so happy to host you, because I was lost without you, and now with you I will be living a different life, and I will rebuild the Jerusalem inside of me.

“because all have sinned and lack the glory of God”, — says Apostle Paul, the son of Abraham and the spiritual brother of Zacchaeus”.

And all the commandments (plus our conscience) should, first of all, reveal this truth, the spiritual decay and death, and thus the need not in just a teacher, but the Saviour: to be saved by constant and acting, and painstaking repentance, and not by any hidden wisdom or a kinship.

And there is another thing to consider, and St. Ignatius says in the same sermon:

“The Holy Gospels can be compared to a mirror. Each of us can see, if we so desire, the state of our soul reflected in them [in the Gospels], and find that all-powerful healing offered to us by the all-powerful physician, the Lord.”

Let us remember, that what is the best and the highest in this world is very often useless and harmful for the reconciliation with God.

That’s why the Lord today again preferred to stay with a “sinner”. Amen