Tag Archives: lazarus

Lent Day 41: The poor and Jesus

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TODAY’S READINGS

Today’s Gospel reading (Jn 12:1-11) continues our journey through John as we near the time of the Last Supper. Famously, Mary, the sister of Lazarus and Martha, slathers Jesus feet with costly perfume. Judas objects and Jesus responds :

Jesus said, “Leave her alone.
Let her keep this for the day of my burial.
You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.” (vv. 7-8)

“The poor: Jesus is not indifferent toward the poor. Elsewhere he promotes almsgiving in no uncertain terms (Mt 6:2–4; Lk 6:30; 12:33). ● The words of Jesus echo the words of Deut 15:11, which states that the unceasing presence of the poor offers countless opportunities to give generously to less fortunate neighbors. The disciples, too, will have plenty of chances to give alms, but only a brief time remains to be generous toward Jesus while he remains among them (CCC 2449).” (The Gospel of John [Ignatius Catholic Study Bible], 41)

“Jesus takes priority over every other concern — and little time remains before his mortal life ends.” (The Gospel of John [Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture] ,218)

“A literal translation of Jesus’ words is, ‘in order that she may keep it for the day of preparation for my burial,’ with ‘in order that’ indicating purpose. The interpretation which makes the most sense is that the purpose of the nard was that it was to be kept for the day of preparation for Jesus’ burial, which was that very day…Mary has symbolically prepared the body of Jesus for burial. anointing it as a corpse was anointed before being buried. Jesus does not say that Mary understood this deeper significance of her act; she may have simply anointed him out of love and gratitude. But Jesus knows that the hour for his going to his father is near. His raising of Lazarus to life — the cause of Mary’s gratitude — means that he lives under a sentence of death (11:53). Mary’s anointing has prepared him for the sentence being carried out.” (Bringing the Gospel of John to Life, 347)

What strikes me first and foremost about this passage is that, while true that Jesus will soon be dead, buried, rise, and ascend, He is still with us. Of course, He remains with us in a real and substantial way in the Eucharist. But that’s not the only way. Here’s Mother Teresa tying together the Eucharist and the poor:

“If we recognize [Jesus] under the appearance of bread, we will have no difficulty recognizing him in the disguise of the suffering poor.” (see article here)

Which invokes Jesus’ own words about the downtrodden, that He spoke immediately before the woman anoints His feet in Matthew, and how we should view them:

“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.” (Mt 26:35-36)

Yes, Jesus left us in the familiar form the apostles came to know. But He invites us to see Him and serve Him in everyone we meet, particularly the poor. Being faithful in this way we prepare ourselves for the day of our burial.

Jesus Healing Beggar (2011) by Donna Tucker

God bless.

Lent Day 16: Raising Lazarus

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TODAY’S READINGS

Today’s Gospel (Lk 16:19-31) is the famous story of the Rich Man and Lazarus; Abraham’s last words are depressing:

“If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets,
neither will they be persuaded
if someone should rise from the dead.” (v. 31)

“Minds defiantly closed to God’s revelation will remain closed no matter what signs are given them or wonders performed for them…While the rich man spoke of someone from the dead going to his brothers, Abraham in his response used the phrase rise from the dead. Luke’s readers would naturally think of Jesus’ rising from the dead. the resurrection of Jesus will not convince everyone that he is God’s Son and Messiah, Lord and savior. In the Acts of the Apostles Luke will tell how the Gospel message is accepted by some and disbelieved bu others; Abraham’s words foreshadow such disbelief.” (Bringing the Gospel of Luke to Life, 449)

How sad it is that Jesus’ Resurrection was rejected by so many at the time and far more today. The Lord endures an unimaginable suffering for all humankind but emerges victorious over sin, Satan, and death. Heaven is opened up if only we are faithful enough to take advantage.

Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead and the religious leaders were angry:

So from that day on they planned to kill him. (John 11:53, but read Jn 11:45-53)

Jesus raised Himself from the dead and the religious leaders were angry.

While they were still speaking to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple guard, and the Sadducees* confronted them,

disturbed that they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.a

They laid hands on them and put them in custody until the next day, since it was already evening. (Acts 4:1-3)

We declare Jesus, the God-Man raised from the dead, as we are required:

But if Christ is preached as raised from the dead, how can some among you say there is no resurrection of the dead?

If there is no resurrection of the dead, then neither has Christ been raised.f

And if Christ has not been raised, then empty [too] is our preaching; empty, too, your faith. (1 Cor 15:12-14)

This we are to do regardless of the consequences.

The Resurrection of Lazarus, Detail from Life and Passion of Christ (1303-1305)
by Giotto de Bondone

God bless.