The Kingdom of God brings about grand reversals. In the parable from today’s gospel reading, Jesus mentions the name of Lazarus, who was unknown and forgotten during his lifetime, but not the name of the rich man, whose perspective the story follows. The rich man is oblivious until it is too late. He fails to see and hear what is in front of him. Lazarus suffers at the door, but the rich man doesn’t even offer the scraps from his table. The teachings of Moses and the warnings of the prophets are available to him, but he does not listen. All he needs to do is notice who he sees on his doorstep and think about what he hears in scripture. Instead, he uses material comforts to insulate himself from the realities of suffering and God’s call to justice. Lazarus cannot escape reality—he bears its weight. In ignoring reality by avoiding suffering and vulnerability, the rich man renders himself nameless in the parable.

Injustice is not always “out of sight, out of mind.” Sometimes, it is in front of us, and we strain to ignore it. Jesus calls us by name and invites us to hear the challenge from the prophets, notice the realities in front of us, and act as agents of God’s mercy.  What is Jesus calling you to notice in your own life?