Our second reading this week is an example of a wealthy and powerful person in Luke’s gospel who choose to embrace the repentance, humility, and transformation that Jesus called for. It’s the story of Zacchaeus:
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This is Part 3 of the series The Social Vision of the Gospel
(Read this series from its beginning here.)
Zacchaeus, a wealthy tax collector, was widely despised for collaborating with the Roman Empire and enriching himself at the expense of his fellow Jews. His profession placed him among the elite of his time, yet religiously, culturally, and socially, he was isolated and marginalized.
When Jesus enters Jericho, Zacchaeus climbs a tree to see Him—a powerful symbol of his desire to rise above his compromised life. And Jesus’ response is revolutionary: rather than condemn Zacchaeus, He invites Himself to his house. This act of inclusion leads to Zacchaeus’ transformation. He pledges to give half his wealth to the poor and repay fourfold anyone he has defrauded. This is not just personal, private, individual repentance, it’s economic justice in action. Zacchaeus acknowledges the harm caused by his wealth and uses his resources to repair it. Jesus affirms this change by saying, “Today salvation has come to this house.”
In today’s world, where income inequality is widening and economic systems often benefit the few at the expense of the many, Zacchaeus’ story raises urgent questions. What would it look like if the wealthy, especially those whose fortunes are built on exploitation, followed Zacchaeus’ example? His response to Jesus was not mere charity but restitution and structural change—principles echoed in movements for reparations and equitable wealth redistribution today.
The story of Zacchaeus challenges both the acquisition and use of wealth. It invites a transformation that starts with a compassionate awakening toward those the system has plunged into poverty and leads to economic action. In a time when billions live in poverty while a small percentage hold vast wealth, the Zacchaeus story reminds us that true discipleship involves justice, not just belief.
Zacchaeus’ embrace of Jesus’ social vision is a model not only of repentance but also of social transformation. His encounter with Jesus demonstrates that economic justice is central to spiritual renewal, and that addressing income inequality is not only a policy issue but also a deeply moral and theological one.
I’m reminded of the words of Michelle Alexander almost a decade ago now: “Without a moral or spiritual awakening, we will remain forever trapped in political games fueled by fear, greed and the hunger for power.” (Michelle Alexander, “Something Much Greater At Stake,” Radical Discipleship, September 18, 2016). Our readings in Luke this week offer us that alternate path of awakening toward justice.
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