The story of Zacchaeus can serve as a parable of hope. His action of climbing the sycamore tree was, it seems, merely motivated by curiosity in wanting to see Jesus. His desire to see Jesus was fulfilled in Jesus' words of salvation. Thus, it opened in him an entrance for God's grace, to which he responded generously- and so encountered in Jesus the presence of God giving him a sense of being accepted and of receiving hope in an otherwise hostile world.

The sycamore tree may have been an obstacle to be overcome and an unforeseen instrument in bringing about an encounter with God. If we desire to encounter God in our own lives, let us reflect on the obstacle possibly frustrating our desire and so pray for the grace to turn the obstacle into an opportunity to receive grace.