For Christ's presence is like that of some life-giving, scented balsam which restores health, enriches life and gives savor to the soul, the thoughts, the words of a man. In brief, distance from Christ means corruption and death, and closeness to Him means salvation and life.
Bishop Nikolai Velimirovic
Prolog, 4 February
Christ is the salvation that comes, and Zacchaeus is the house to which He comes.
Bishop Nikolai Velimirovic
Prolog, 4 February
He saw Zacchaeus high up, for he already stood out in loftiness of faith amid the fruits of new works as if at the top of a fertile tree. . . He was at the top of the tree, because he was above the law. Already beyond the law, he abandoned his treasures and followed the Lord.
St. Ambrose of Milan
The Orthodox New Testament, The Holy Gospels, Volume 1
He had sought to see Him, but the multitude prevented him, not so much that of the people, as of his sins. He was little of stature, not merely in a bodily point of view, but also spiritually. In no other way could he see Him, unless he were raised up. . .
St. Cyril of Alexandria
The Orthodox New Testament, The Holy Gospels, Volume 1
He who lately was a tax collector, or rather the chief of the tax collectors, gives up covetousness. He becomes merciful and devoted to charity. He promises that he will distribute his wealth to those who are in need, that he will make restoration to those who have been defrauded
St. Cyril of Alexandria
The Orthodox New Testament, The Holy Gospels, Volume 1
In this reading we note Zacchaeus' sense of eager expectation, the intensity of his desire to see our Lord, and we apply this to ourselves. If, as we prepare for Lent, there is real eagerness in our hearts, if we have an intense desire for a clearer vision of Christ, then our hopes will be fulfilled during the fast; indeed, we shall, like Zacchaeus, receive far more than we expect.
Bishop Kallistos of Diokleia
The Meaning of the Great Fast from the Lenten Triodion
Little Zacchaeus had climbed up into a tree, to see the Lord Jesus with his own eyes. He had sought Him, desired Him. And we must seek Him in order to find Him, and desire that He draw near to us, and climb up high in spirit to meet His glance. Then He will visit our house as He visited the house of Zacchaeus, and bring salvation with Him.
Bishop Nikolai Velimirovic
Prolog, 4 February
Each of us, my brethren, is a house in which sin dwells while Christ is afar off, and to which salvation comes as Christ draws near. Whether Christ is able or not to draw near to my house and yours depends on us.
Bishop Nikolai Velimirovic
Prolog, 4 February
As long as he is in the crowd, Zacchaeus does not see Christ; he climbs above the crowd and sees Him, namely, having transcended base ignorance, he deserved to perceive Him for Whom he longed.
St. Cyril of Alexandria
The Orthodox New Testament, The Holy Gospels, Volume 1
The sign that thou lovest God, is this, that thou lovest thy fellow; and if thou hatest thy fellow, thy hatred is towards God. For it is blasphemy if thou prayest before God while thou art wroth. For thy heart also convicts thee, that in vain thou multipliest words: thy conscience rightly judges that in thy prayers thou profitest nought.
St. Ephraim the Syrian
ON ADMONITION AND REPENTANCE.
He who is humble in his thoughts and engaged in spiritual work, when he reads the holy Scriptures, will apply everything to himself and not to his neighbor.
St. Mark the Monk
When you see life's pleasures, beware that they might not distract you, for they conceal death's snares. Likewise a fisherman casts not his hook to no purpose. As bait for his hook, the enemy uses the delusion of sensuality to arouse desire, that he might thereby catch men's souls and subject them to himself. A soul which has been caught to serve the enemy's will then serves as a snare for other souls, for it conceals the grief of sin with its apparent delight.
St. Ephraim the Syrian
A Spiritual Psalter no 43, pg. 74, 4th century
