SAINT FRANCES OF ROME, RELIGIOUS (OPTIONAL MEMORIAL)

If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.

The rich man in Jesus’ parable probably wasn’t a cruel or mean person. He didn’t even try to shoo Lazarus away from his door. No, his sin was in failing to notice Lazarus at all. Lazarus was “invisible” to him—just an obstacle to step over when he left the house. But now, Lazarus is at Abraham’s side while the rich man is in torment.

When the rich man begs Abraham to send Lazarus to warn his brothers so that they don’t end up suffering the same fate, Abraham’s response is telling. If they won’t listen to Moses and the prophets in the Scriptures, then they won’t listen to Lazarus if he should come to them with a message from beyond the grave (Luke 16:31).

What if, during his lifetime, this man had spent more time pondering the Scriptures? He would have reflected on what Moses had commanded: “Open your hand freely to your poor and to your needy kin in your land” (Deuteronomy 15:11). He would have considered Isaiah’s words: “Is this not, rather, the fast that I choose: . . . Is it not sharing your bread with the hungry, bringing the afflicted and the homeless into your house?” (58:6, 7). He would have profited from the wisdom in Proverbs: “Whoever cares for the poor lends to the Lord, who will pay back the sum in full” (19:17). Then maybe he would have seen Lazarus at his door and responded with heavenly compassion.

Scripture has the power to open our eyes to the needs around us. It can also shed light on what’s going on in our hearts and convict us to change our ways when our actions don’t line up with what God desires. He wants us to care for the “least brothers” (Matthew 25:40), but first he has to open our eyes to their presence among us—especially those right in front us.

As you reflect on the words of Scripture today and every day, let them penetrate your heart. Let them change the way you see the world and the people you encounter. Let them help you see as God sees so that you don’t miss a Lazarus at your door.

“Lord Jesus, open my eyes to the needs around me, and then give me the grace to act on them.”

Jeremiah 17:5-10
Psalm 1:1-4, 6
Luke 16:19-31