We have heard the Gospel of Zacchaeus. Zacchaeus really wants to see Jesus. He is short in stature and makes an effort. He goes out on a sycamore. We can say – it pays off for him. Jesus notices him. Jesus invites himself to his house, he wants to stay there. What is Zacchaeus’ response? Zacchaeus is happy. The Gospel tells us that he joyfully descends from the sycamore and welcomes Jesus into his home. This, however, does not please everyone, because Zacchaeus is a sinner. This meeting changes Zacchaeus. He distributes wealth to the poor, rewards those he has wronged.
We see the Lord God who invites himself, the Lord God who wants to enter into our lives, just as he entered the life of Zacchaeus. He wants to enter; he is waiting for our answer or – we will invite him. God is constantly making this effort to enter our lives. We are often afraid to receive Him. We are afraid of His will because we often do not understand it; because God comes with His plan, with His program. He wants our happiness, but we don’t always know, we don’t always understand, that it’s all about our happiness.
For twelve years I was a missionary in the Central African Republic. I went to this country, but before that I was afraid to go there. I felt God’s call. I fought with myself. After two years of struggle, I volunteered to leave and was happy as a missionary. I visited many villages preaching the Word of God and celebrating the sacraments. I was first in the jungle in the Bagandou mission. Later, I was in the north of the country. I thought it was my job, my mission, but God had prepared something more… A new mission. In 2013 a rebellion broke out in the country. It was very dangerous. On the mission we had many people who fled and found refuge with us. So, we protected ourselves and people. The rebels came and took our fuel; they took our money, our cars. It was very dangerous, but it wasn’t over yet! On October 13, 2014, at night, rebels came to our mission in Baboua. Thirteen armed men and they say, “You are our hostages. Our rebel leader is imprisoned; we are fighting for his freedom.” I was forced to go with them. And, what I used to read in books, what I watched on TV became a reality. I became a hostage. A new reality. In the bush I walked with them thirteen hours, about thirty kilometers. In the middle of the bush, I joined the other hostages; there were twenty-six of us. I am the only white European, the rest are Africans. We were sleeping on the mat, experiencing cold nights, bad food, dirty water, toilet in a bucket. Very difficult conditions. I thought it would take a few days, so I was calm. After the first week, the crisis came and I told the rebels – “Today I want to return to my mission, I have something to eat in my mission, today I have a catechesis meeting with children.” I also said what I think about them. Then, I was punished to a great extent. A rebel with a rifle said: “I can shoot you, beat you; for what are you saying.” And, for what I said I was punished.
