Word on fire is brought to you by Catholic cemeteries, serving the Chicago area since 1837.

This is Cardinal Francis George, and I invite you to join me for the next few minutes to

reflect with Father Robert Barron on the Word of God, which is the Word on fire.

Father Barron will challenge us to open our hearts to the Word on fire, which is God's

Word of Love for each of us.

If our hearts are open, the Lord can change and transform us, who we might speak with

God's Love about the One who is Love.

The Archdiocese of Chicago through the generosity of Sacred Heart Parish in Winetka now presents

the Word on fire.

Peace be with you.

How they must have loathed little Zacchaeus.

I mean this man in fine garments, probably with a haughty air, who had for decades built

the people out of their money while working for the hated Romans.

We hear in the Gospel that Zacchaeus was not an ordinary tax collector, they were hated

enough, but he was a chief tax collector who had become very wealthy at their expense.

How they must have hated him.

Well as Zacchaeus is the main character in the Gospel for today in this beautifully

told, beautifully crafted story, Jesus as the Gospel tell us over and over again came

precisely for such people as Zacchaeus, and in that fellow sinners we have very good

news.

Someone is despised and loathed as Zacchaeus, Jesus came for him.

The story, as Luke lays it out, is like a spiritual itinerary, so we should take it step-by-step.

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