Luke could well have written the story of Zacchaeus as a model of evangelisation for his early Christian community.

Zacchaeus the rich tax collector would have looked rather silly siting in a tree. It must have taken courage for Zacchaeus to climb the tree, or, great desperation to catch a fleeting glimpse of Jesus whose reputation had gone before him. This might be the equivalent the pre-evangelisation stage. Zacchaeus is inquisitive and interested “to see” ths person Jesus.

As Jesus passes by the tree he sees Zacchaeus and calls him down saying that he wishes to stay at his house. This could equate to the Initial Proclamation of the Gospel stage whereby the call of Jesus moves Zacchaeus from ‘one place’ to ‘another place’ and is his first encounter of the person of Jesus.

This is the beginning of Zacchaeus’ conversion. In response to the call of Jesus Zacchaeus will repay anyone he has over charged through his taxation commission. Jesus sees in Zacchaeus his latent goodness. It is from that goodness Zacchaeus comes to a realization of his sinfulness and what he needs to do to redress the situation.

Jesus then goes to stay with Zacchaeus which could be understood as the period of catechetical instruction and formation that would foster in Zacchaeus a permanent commitment to Jesus.

Remember – Gospel story we are always somewhere in it. How is your process of evangelisation evolving? At what stage are you at? Through life we fluctuate from one stage to another.