What’s in a Name?

Many have said that the sweetest sound, in any language, is the sound of one’s own name. A name is an attention-getter. A lost child hearing his name called by his mother, a greeting in an airport or bus station or in a mall, or the cheers of a crowd…all these events produce a joyous reaction and an emotional jolt. For today’s reflection, we’ll ignore being called by our first, middle and last name by a parent or teacher, because that always signaled trouble.  We’ll stick with first names.

Today’s Gospel is the classic story of Lazarus the Beggar.  He is not to be confused with the Lazarus who was raised from the dead, the one Jesus loved, and brother to Martha and Mary.  Same name, different story.

Lazarus

When I read the Gospel, I wondered how the rich man knew Lazarus’ name.  How did he know Lazarus on a first name basis, yet still allow him to live a wretched life?  Lazarus “resided” near the front door of the rich man’s house, presumably begging every day.  I envision him being stepped over and around several times a day.  He is in obvious physical disrepair.  We can see and hear and smell the situation in our mind, as we have probably encountered this type of situation before. A companion dog was Lazarus’ only point of physical contact, and that same dog offered his only health care by way of licking the sores Lazarus had.

Was Lazarus a former employee of the rich man, but he ended up drinking too much wine from the cellar and ended up destitute on the street?  Was he mentally challenged and abandoned by his family? He wasn’t a leper, as he would have been separated from society. Maybe he had some sort of contagious disease that caused sores that made him undesirable.  Maybe he had a bad accident, and could not physically work anymore.

Corporal Works of Mercy

I’m guessing that the majority of the GVM audience partakes in the Seven Corporal Works of Mercy, especially during Lent.  However, how many of us put a name together with that person or people we serve during Lent?  As a faith in action project this Lent, try to address people by their first name, whenever possible.  If someone has a name tag on, call them that name.  How about the mail carrier, package delivery person, a fellow volunteer, or the check out person at the market?  Do you know their first names?  If is this exercise is too far out of your comfort zone or too personal or too “creepy”, how about a “hello” or a wave?  The masks in our lives preclude us from offering a quick smile for others to see, so personal interchanges takes a bit more effort these days.

We might meet our own Lazarus or Juan or Trang or James or Betty or Marcus at the Pearly Gates some day.  Let’s do our best to make sure we know each other when we get there, and we’re both allowed in!

Remain Blessed.

[Readings: Jer 17:5-10; Lk 16:19-31]

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