Saint Teresa of Calcutta often stated that God does not call us to be successful but faithful. Each of us can meaningfully respond to God's great love. The value of our efforts is not determined by their scale or scope but by the sincerity of our commitment to share that love with others.
In today's Gospel, Jesus affirms the compassion and integrity of the shunned tax collector Zacchaeus, transforming the life of the man who climbed the sycamore tree. Christ calls us in the same way: He invites us to respond to God's love in whatever way we can and to encourage others to do the same. Together, we can transform the darkness surrounding us into the light of God's peace, love, and justice.