Changing Vantage Points - November 27
Today’s Readings: AM Psalm 119:145-176; PM Psalm 128, 129, 130; Zech. 12:1-10; Eph. 1:3-14; Luke 19:1-10
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, and while I would normally take today off, I missed writing last week due to several evening events. I wanted to take this opportunity to express my gratitude for this Daily Faith community. It means so much to us at Saint Stephen’s that you take the time to read these reflections. I pray that your faith, your call to love as Jesus invites us to, and your overall well-being are deepened through reflecting on scripture. Your commitment to reading is what inspires us to write, and in this shared journey, we grow together in faith. It’s a symbiotic relationship, and I’m especially grateful for it this Thanksgiving week.
Today’s reading touches on a similar theme. In the Gospel, we meet Zacchaeus, whose view of Jesus is blocked by the crowd. Determined, Zacchaeus runs ahead and climbs a sycamore tree to see Him. The NRSV translation describes his motivation: “He wanted to see who Jesus was,” suggesting that Zacchaeus lacked both a relationship with Jesus and any real understanding of Him.
When Zacchaeus finally sees Jesus, something remarkable happens. Jesus stops, calls him by name, and offers Zacchaeus an opportunity to provide Him with hospitality. This story fascinates me for two reasons. First, Zacchaeus is hindered from knowing Jesus by the crowd. Second, he must change his perspective—perhaps even face discomfort—to discover where God is calling him.
This leads to some important questions: How does "the crowd" prevent us from truly knowing God? This question has many layers and is worth exploring on your own. Additionally, how can we position ourselves to see God differently? It might involve doing something unfamiliar, spending time with people we usually avoid, or stepping out of our comfort zones.
To see Jesus, Zacchaeus had to shift his position and perspective. Similarly, we might need to change where we stand—physically, emotionally, or spiritually—to recognize God’s presence.
These metaphors are subtle yet rich with meaning. In this especially precarious time when God’s presence might feel elusive, it’s worth remembering: God is always present. Sometimes, we just need to move to a new vantage point to see clearly.
Faithfully,
John+
Questions for Self-Reflection: This reflection in particular is especially nuanced. What was the crowd for you in this story? What served as the tree? How can you change your vantage point?