MONTHLY DEVOTIONAL FOR 18 NOVEMBER
November 18, 2025
FEAST OF SAINT NERSES THE GREAT – 19th NOVEMBER
November 19, 2025
TODAY’S GOSPEL READING
19 NOVEMBER, 2024
Luke 19:1-10
At that time Jesus came to Jericho and intended to pass through the town.
Now a man there named Zacchaeus,
who was a chief tax collector and also a wealthy man,
was seeking to see who Jesus was;
but he could not see him because of the crowd,
for he was short in stature.
So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus,
who was about to pass that way.
When he reached the place, Jesus looked up and said,
“Zacchaeus, come down quickly,
for today I must stay at your house.”
And he came down quickly and received him with joy.
When they saw this, they began to grumble, saying,
“He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner.”
But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord,
“Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor,
and if I have extorted anything from anyone
I shall repay it four times over.”
And Jesus said to him,
“Today salvation has come to this house
because this man too is a descendant of Abraham.
For the Son of Man has come to seek
and to save what was lost.”
THE GOSPEL OF THE LORD!
REFLECTION
Zacchaeus’ encounter with Jesus reveals the heart of the Gospel: no one is beyond the reach of God’s grace. Though Zacchaeus was wealthy, influential, and widely disliked for his corruption, he still longed to see Jesus. His willingness to climb a tree shows a humility that broke through pride and reputation. Jesus responds not with judgment but with invitation—He calls Zacchaeus by name and chooses to stay in his home. That personal call transforms Zacchaeus, moving him from greed to generosity, from self-serving gain to restitution and compassion. This passage reminds us that true conversion happens when we allow Jesus into the deepest places of our lives. His presence changes what we value, how we treat others, and the direction we walk. Salvation is not an abstract idea—it is the living Christ turning hearts back to God.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, thank You for seeking and saving the lost, for seeing beyond our failures and calling us by name. Give me the humility of Zacchaeus to seek You sincerely, no matter what it costs. Enter the home of my heart and transform what needs to change. Replace pride with openness, selfishness with generosity, and fear with trust. Help me to live in the joy of Your salvation, walking each day in the freedom that comes from Your grace. Amen
