Jesus Seeks and Saves the Lost!

by Deacon Lorna Goodison on October 27, 2022

Have you ever found yourself feeling lost or overcome by inner turmoil? In those times we call out to God pleading, “Why me?” “Are you real, God?” “Do you hear me, God?”   Life’s challenges and our shortcomings can make us feel alone, unworthy, and exiled from the Divine. In this Sunday’s readings, we hear of humanity’s pain and alienation and God’s sovereign power to lead us to a place of exaltation with God in Christ.     

The Old Testament reading for Sunday (Habakkuk 1:1-4 &2:1-4) tells of the great prophet, who shared the immense pain of God’s people who had strayed from journeying with God, lost their homeland, and were exiled into Babylon. Habakkuk pleaded with God on behalf of the people, “O Lord, how long shall I cry to you for help, and you will not listen? Or cry out to you, “Violence” and you will not save?” (Habakkuk 1:2). We too, like the prophet, may plead honestly with God. Habakkuk waited and God responded to him in a vision. God gave him a broader perspective on the seemingly unbearable problem of exile. God remains sovereign and God is not constrained in acting on behalf of God’s people. In God’s own way and time, God will save God’s people and end their pain. The real issue is, how do God’s people act in the in-between times?  God’s people were urged to transcend pain by persistently, patiently holding on to faith in the power of God and striving to live uncompromisingly in God’s way of righteousness, assured by His words, “the righteous shall live by faith.”

In Sunday’s gospel (Luke 19:1-10) we read the story of Zacchaeus, a wealthy man with worldly power, being the chief tax collector. Internally, Zacchaeus like Judah was living in spiritual exile from the Divine. His external success disguised his interior pain of alienation from God. He was spiritually short, as well as short in physical and social stature, despised by his community as a Roman collaborator who imposed heavy tax burdens on God’s people. Interiorly, he yearned to see Jesus. Could Jesus help him? His short stature prevented him from seeing Jesus among the crowd.

Just as God told the exiled community to transcend challenges by persistence in faith, we see Zacchaeus’s faith blooming as he transcended his challenge by going ahead of Jesus and climbing a sycamore tree, from where he would have a good view of Jesus.  Jesus saw Zacchaeus and sensing his spiritual hunger, Jesus initiated a personal relationship with him. Jesus beckoned him to come down from the tree and invited Himself to Zacchaeus’ home. Without hesitation, Zacchaeus joyfully welcomed Jesus! Jesus, the guest then became the spiritual host welcoming Zacchaeus from his pain of alienation, into joy with God!  Zacchaeus became embraced into the identity of believers, a “son of Abraham” and demonstrated his rebirth by committing to live for Christ in his vocation, being kinder to his community and a more humane steward of his finances, repaying those he defrauded.

Luke’s story of Zacchaeus ends with great consolation. “The Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.” Christ does not ask us to be perfect to hear His call. He meets us wherever we are with unconditional love and mercy. He invites us to join Him in living by faith, persisting in prayer, and compassionately serving others. Thanks be to God for His welcoming affirmation!!    

Tags: prayer, faith, lost, saved, alone, challenges, spiritual hunger, unworthy, shortcomings, turmoil, exiled

About the Author
Deacon Lorna Goodison

Reverend Lorna Goodison was ordained to the Diaconate on April 29, 2007. After discerning a call to ordained ministry, Deacon Lorna completed a process of spiritual discernment and pursued three years of study at the Diocesan School for Christian Studies. She also completed three units of hospice care training through Vitas and for a short while she was a volunteer Chaplain. Highlights of her continuing education activities include a guided visit to Israel and attending the Festival of Homiletics in Boulder, Colorado.

Soon after her ordination, Deacon Lorna was called to serve as Deacon at St. Mary Magdalene. She initiated an outreach ministry to the homeless at St. Laurence Chapel, obtaining the support and involvement of most members of the congregation. This ministry remained a vibrant outreach of the Church until the Chapel closed in 2019.  Other outreach ministries formed include an informal group of members who stay in touch with members who are ill and shut-in. Deacon Lorna remains committed to both the in-reach and outreach ministries of the Church. She has led quiet day reflections for groups within and outside of St. Mary Magdalene. She has often led Deacon’s Masses at small churches without a priest. Of all the ministries in which Deacon Lorna participates, she is most humbled and grateful to be involved in the ministry of praying with congregants facing life’s challenges.

Deacon Lorna serves the Diocese of Southeast Florida as a member of the Disciplinary Committee. She also serves on the Board of Deacons.   

Professionally, Deacon Lorna worked for some years in Human Resource Departments as a Training Manager, but most of her working years were spent in Social Work. She worked with at-risk teenagers counselling them and guiding them to resources to build a meaningful future. The last twenty years of her profession, were spent working with Seniors, guiding them to the resources needed to maintain their safety and independence. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Work and a master’s degree in Adult Education. She is now retired, cherishes some alone time for prayer and reflection, but divides her time between the Church and her family which consists of two daughters, their husbands and three grandchildren.

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