Christ's whole life on earth was dedicated to bringing people back into friendship with God, and to establishing his Church to continue that mission throughout history.
This is the Good News of Jesus Christ: that in him we can once again live in friendship with God, our sins can be forgiven, we can become what we were created to be: children of God, members of God's family.
Original sin had shattered the relationship between the human family and God. Christ came to rebuild that friendship, to reconcile that broken relationship.
We all want to experience more deeply this transforming power of Christ's presence in our lives. And the best way to do that is by helping others experience it.
That's what Zacchaeus did. Jesus reached out to him; he came into his life. Jesus has also reached out to us. He has made us Christians, members of his Church.
Fr. Paulus Waris Santoso, O.Carm