ONE QUESTION
FOR LAZARUS
INTRODUCTION
The title of my homily for this Monday in Holy Week is, “One Question for Lazarus.”
LAZARUS IN THE
GOSPLE OF JOHN
We heard in today’s gospel that lots of people - a large crowd of people
- came to Bethany - to the home of Martha, Mary and Lazarus - to see Jesus -
but I dare say, probably more - to see Lazarus - whom Jesus brought back from
the dead.
My question: if you could ask Lazarus one question, what would it be?
Now the details of his story is only in one gospel, John’s gospel, in
chapters 11 and 12. His name is mentioned 14 times there - and that’s it. Lazarus:
the brother of Martha and Mary; the friend of Jesus.
LAZARUS IN THE
GOSPLE OF LUKE
However, there is the other Lazarus in the 16th Chapter of
the gospel of Luke - who also dies - and we find out a lot more about what
happens after death to him - than the real life Lazarus in the gospel of John.
This Luke is mentioned 5 times all in that 16th chapter of
Luke.
Luke’s story is a parable. John’s story is history - Biblical history.
ONE QUESTION
We don’t know if anyone asked the gospel of John’s Lazarus any
questions. I would assume everyone who had a chance asked him, “What did you
see in the next life?” “What was it like?” “Did you meet people?” “Did you meet people whom you knew - people
like your parents?” “Hey, you were in
the grave 4 days” and the ever practical
Martha said, “By now he has to be
stinking big time.” “Did you stink? Were you starting to decay? What was
that like?”
What would be your one question, if you could ask Lazarus one question?
Would you ask, “Did you see God?”
Would you ask, “Do people have
bodies?” If they don’t, would you then ask a follow up question, “If
they don’t have bodies, how do you see or know what’s what, what’s going on in
the life after death?”
In the gospel of Luke, Chapter 16, with the story - the parable - of the other Lazarus, we have bodies and
the visual. We have a big gap or chasm in between Hades - the down below - that
is all flames, fire, to the up above, the bosom of Abraham. The selfish, the self-centered rich man is
dying of thirst down below and he finally spots the man he never spotted
before, Lazarus, the poor man, now in the bosom of Abraham.
The Rich Man - he doesn’t have a name, some have called him Dives - asks
two questions of Abraham. He makes two requests.
First, “Could Lazarus dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my
tongue, for I am in agony in these flames.” Abraham says, “Sorry you had your
chance while on earth - besides there is no bridge from there to here.” The rich man changes.
Surprise. The rich man changes. He thinks of others. It’s his brothers. he starts thinking about. He
asks Abraham a second question: if he could send Lazarus to his brothers and
warn them before they die to do for others, so that they don’t end up here in
torment.”
“Nope,” says Abraham. “They have Moses and the prophets, let them listen
to them.”
It’s a great dialogue. The rich man yells back, “No, Father Abraham, but
if someone comes back from the dead, they will repent.”
Once more Abraham says, “If they will not listen to Moses or to the
prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone should rise from the
dead.”
So that’s the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus.
BACK TO THE LAZARUS
IN THE GOSPEL OF JOHN
Now let me get back to the story of Lazarus in today’s gospel from John.
Did people ask great questions and make great comments to Lazarus?
Would we ask, “Did you get a glimpse of heaven - as well as - a glimpse
of hell?”
CONCLUSION
So that’s my homily for today.
I’m asking you to come up with one question you would ask someone who has
come back from the dead - dead for 4 days.
Obviously the big message is: Jesus rose from the dead - some listened
to him and some didn’t. Do we?
Some people are like the rich man or like Judas - who also didn’t care
about anyone but himself? That’s hell here - and hereafter I assume.
Some people are like Mary and Martha - who were concerned about others. That’s heaven here - and I assume
afterwards.
______________
Painting on top: Vincent Van Gogh, The Raising of Lazarus. [1889-1890]
______________
Painting on top: Vincent Van Gogh, The Raising of Lazarus. [1889-1890]
