The Myth: “Jesus came to save those who are doing badly”

Those that are doing great Jesus’ criteria Those that are struggling Those that are doing great Found Lost

“God excludes no one, neither the poor nor the rich… he sees in everyone a soul to save” Pope Benedict XVI, Oct. 31 2010)

The LORD is good to all and compassionate toward all his works The LORD is good to all and compassionate toward all his works. The LORD lifts up all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down. O LORD and lover of souls… …you have mercy on all, … and you overlook people's sins that they may repent. …you rebuke offenders little by little, warn them and remind them of the sins they are committing, that they may abandon their wickedness and believe in you, O LORD!

What did Jesus bring into Zacchaeus life? What does he offer to us?

A new relation with God. “Zacchaeus, today I must stay at your house A new relation with God. “Zacchaeus, today I must stay at your house.” And he… received him with joy. A new perception about your riches “Half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor” A new beginning “… If I have extorted anything from anyone I shall repay it four times over.”

“If we let Christ into our lives, we lose nothing, nothing, absolutely nothing of what makes life free, beautiful and great. …Only in this friendship are the doors of life opened wide. Only in this friendship is the great potential of human existence truly revealed. Only in this friendship do we experience beauty and liberation. And so, today, with great strength and great conviction, on the basis of long personal experience of life, I say to you, dear young people: Do not be afraid of Christ! He takes nothing away, and he gives you everything. When we give ourselves to him, we receive a hundredfold in return. Yes, open, open wide the doors to Christ – and you will find true life. Amen.”