Lk 19,1-10

Stand in God’s presence. God is present here and now, looking upon you with love.

Ask for the Grace: I will beg God our Lord that all my intentions and actions may be directed purely to the praise and service of His Divine Majesty

Fixing a place, a picture for meditation: See what the city of Jericho looks like. Jesus walks through the city. There is a large crowd. Maybe you’ll see Zacchaeus – a chief tax collector. Be present in the scene as you can

.Ask for the fruit of meditation: for knowing my desires, needs and meeting with Jesus  

1.  Zacchaeus wants to see Jesus.

The Greek translation says that Zacchaeus was looking to see Jesus. But he couldn’t see because of the crowd. What crowd prevents you from seeing and meeting with Jesus? What or who is it? Later in the passage we can read that the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that what was lost. So maybe it is worth seeing this crowd, find it in yourself and accept that you have it and reflect on: what is the crowd doing in me, what does it say to me? Accepting it is the first step to unite, save what is difficult in me and discover what I really need and want.

2. Desires, needs.

What is desire? It is the pursuit of a goal that I consider valuable and positive for me. This is something I want very much. Desires concern our interests, passions and hobbies and standard of living. They are a source of joy, life-giving energy that stimulates us to live, to make decisions and take concrete actions. Desires are usually unsatisfied and new ones may arise all the time.

In psychology, need is defined as a permanent human quality consisting in the fact that, without meeting certain conditions, a person cannot achieve or maintain certain important states or goals. We can meet the needs at least for a while. Most of us probably know Maslow’s pyramid of needs, which includes physiological needs, safety needs, love and belonging needs, esteem needs, and self-actualization. To these needs, psychology also adds transcendence needs.

We confuse them quite often. Both are important in our lives and God can speak to us through both, so be gentle with yourself if you cannot distinguish them.

a) See in the passage desires and needs of Zacchaeus and Jesus. What are their desires and needs? What differences do you notice about Jesus’ and Zacchaeus’ desires and needs? How does the realization of a desire and need change Zacchaeus?

b) Meet your desires and needs: What do I want? What do I look for in my life, in my everyday life? See all your desires, needs – don’t negate any. The shallower ones often lead to deeper ones. Take them all. How do I get involved and satisfy my desires and needs in my life? Meet your desires and needs also in the context of what Jesus says: today I must stay at your house.

 3. Meeting

Today Jesus says to you: today I must stay at your house. Receive him as you can, as you are and, in the place, you are. Meeting with Jesus changes everyone, how does it change you?

4. Desires and Ignatius Loyola – for reflection.

Desires are very important for Ignatius. He realizes that sometimes a person may not want something good. Therefore, in the Constitutions of the Society of Jesus pt. 102, p. 72, he places the concept of desire’s desire: “If someone, because of our human weakness and misery, would not feel this kind of ardent desire in the Lord, he should be asked whether he at least feels desire to feel these desires. ”

How do you take care of your desire’s desire?

Meditation: St Ignatius encourages in The Spiritual Exercises No. 2 … Because not so much knowledge, but internal feeling and the taste of things please and saturate the soul, that is, we stay where we feel interior movement … and nervously do not try to go on.

The final conversation: Spend a little time at the end, being with God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit….as you would with a good friend: sometimes talking, sometimes listening, sometimes being together in silence. Speak to God about your feelings. Remember that times when ‘nothing is happening’ can also be significant. When you’re ready, end your prayer by saying thank you or using words that are familiar,such as the Lord’s Prayer (Our Father)–whichever feels right and comfortable. (The Spiritual Exercises No.54)