As Pope Francis continues his recovery at Casa Santa Marta following his discharge from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Sunday, he has urged the faithful to maintain hope, even when they feel incapable of change.
The Pope conveyed this message in a text prepared for the Wednesday General Audience, which he requested the Holy See Press Office to publish. Since his medical team prescribed two months of rest for a full recovery, the Press Office has been distributing catecheses prepared for the Audience, as it did during his hospitalization.
The Story of Zacchaeus
In his catechesis, Pope Francis reflected on biblical encounters in Jesus’ life, focusing on the story of the tax collector Zacchaeus, as recounted in the Gospel of St. Luke.
Zacchaeus, the Pope suggested, had lost his way. “Perhaps he made wrong choices, or maybe life placed him in situations from which he struggled to escape.” However, the Pope noted that Zacchaeus had accumulated wealth at the expense of others.
Refusing to Give Up
Despite his shortcomings, Zacchaeus longed to see Jesus when he heard that He was passing through the city. The Pope highlighted that Zacchaeus did not let his limitations deter him.
“You find a solution,” the Pope said. “However, it requires courage and a willingness to disregard social conventions, embracing the simplicity of a child and not worrying too much about one’s image.”
Zacchaeus demonstrated this determination by climbing a tree to catch a glimpse of Jesus. Unexpectedly, Jesus stopped, looked up, and called out to him.
“Zacchaeus probably expected a public rebuke, and the crowd might have hoped for that as well,” the Pope said. “Instead, Jesus surprises everyone by asking Zacchaeus to come down immediately, saying, ‘Today I must stay at your house!’”
God Seeks the Lost
Pope Francis emphasized that God never passes by without seeking those who are lost. He noted how St. Luke highlighted the joy in Zacchaeus’ heart.
“It is the joy of one who feels seen, recognized, and above all, forgiven,” the Pope explained. “Jesus’ gaze is not one of reproach but of mercy. And this mercy is sometimes difficult to accept, especially when God forgives those we believe do not deserve it.”
A New Beginning
Zacchaeus was not only a man of desire but also of action. The Pope pointed out that Zacchaeus’ resolution to change was concrete and personal.
“He examines his life and identifies the point from which to begin his transformation,” the Pope said.
In this light, Pope Francis urged the faithful, “Let us learn from Zacchaeus not to lose hope, even when we feel sidelined or incapable of change.”
He concluded by inviting all believers to nurture their desire to see Jesus and, above all, to allow themselves to be found by the mercy of God, “who always comes to seek us, no matter where we have lost our way.”
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