Today we went to church in the little old town near the cabin. I love going there. It is a small old church with a small tight knit, yet welcoming community. My mom was unsure about walking in the line to receive Communion, so she talked to the people there before Mass started. They sent her to sit up in the front pew and the priest would give her Communion right there so she wouldn’t have to walk at all. You get a different perspective sitting in the front. The priest is a very vibrant man with a big voice. That was even more pronounced sitting so close. One of the scripture readings was the story of Zacchaeus. The homily the priest gave was very powerful and I know I won’t be able to give it justice in this blog. He talked about how Zacchaeus was a swindler and made himself very rich off the backs of the less fortunate. Yet, for some reason, when Jesus made his was to the town, Zacchaeus had to see him. He was so determined that he climbed up a tree to catch of glimpse of Him. The scripture tells us that Jesus intended to pass through the town, but Zacchaeus caught His eye. Jesus went to his house where Zacchaeus basically made a public confession about his evil ways and promised to make amends. His life changed forever when he encountered Jesus. When he reached out, Jesus showed up. I thought about my own encounter with Jesus that I experienced at a retreat many years ago. I was overwhelmed by a feeling of love, joy, and peace. That set me on a path that I would never have anticipated. I knew I couldn’t live my life without a relationship with Christ. The priest then asked the question, “What is the difference between those who are committed to faith and those who vacillate?” He said that those who are committed realize that they need God. That struck me as well. I remember a time when someone said I was, “Holier than thou” as I was going to church when we were out camping. I was taken aback and said that I wasn’t “holier”, but perhaps I was needier. I found myself welling up with tears more than once during the homily. Maybe it was because we were sitting so close and felt more present. Maybe it was because I was reminded just how much my relationship with God means to me.

I Found God today remembering how much I need Him.