First move

Today's Scripture

Here's the question: In today's Gospel reading, Jesus and Zaccheus meet and seem to instantly form a friendship. Who made the first move toward this friendship?

Well, it seems obvious that Jesus first calls out to Zacchaeus, right? What always amazes me is that Jesus already knows his name. Perhaps Zachaeus was somewhat famous, or infamous? Maybe Jesus knew because well, He's Jesus. While it almost seems like Jesus had an intention to meet Zacchaeus, the Gospel dispels that notion by stating the He 'intended to pass through'. So, it seems that Jesus' first move is inviting Zacchaeus down from the tree (and inviting Himself to the tax collector's home).

This however is not the first move. Prior to that, Zacchaeus was 'seeking to see who Jesus was', and although not likely a young man, climbed a tree in order to see Jesus. This prompting in his heart surely seems to have been enough to cause him to make the first move. Without his climbing the tree, Jesus likely would have indeed just passed through Jericho. But what prompted Zacchaeus' heart? I think that would truly be the first move.

That prompting, deep inside, is our very souls determined to come close to their source. God, who breathed His Holy Spirit, His RUAH, into the nostrils of Adam, continues to draw this Spirit back to Himself. This Spirit is what gives us life, and what makes us human. Our intellect and will allow us to choose in a way unlike all of the animals because of the breath of God, the RUAH. This breath will always seek to return to its source. God continually breathes out life into humanity as new souls are embodied in every human embryo, and as He inhales, He draws every soul back to Himself.

You see, God is always the first mover. This doesn't mean that other moves aren't needed. We need to respond to this Holy inhale, and like Zaccheus, not just wonder with our mind, but move earnestly with our feet to come and see Him. Those of us who are already part of the Body of Christ are also called to be Christ-like (I mean, if we want to claim the name Christian...) and boldly extend a hand of friendship and relationship in the places where this might seem unlikely. Who is your Zacchaeus? For all of us, at some level, it is ourselves. But while we are continually drawn to Jesus, we are also called to extend the hand of friendship to someone who needs to have The Lord in their life. There is a someone who needs YOU specifically to be that person. They are drawn in some way to YOU. Don't just pass them by, make the first move, even if you know it's not the first.