We could easily forget Lazarus, but he is someone who deserves attention. He had the attention of the Jewish leaders. The Gospel today summarizes all we know about Lazarus.
Lazarus was the brother of Mary and Martha.
He was a friend and follower of Jesus.
He died, and four days later Jesus raised him from the dead.
He welcomed Jesus into his home, was present when Mary anointed Jesus’ feet and when Judas Iscariot objected.
We know very little. We don’t even have any of Lazarus’ thoughts or words recorded in the Scriptures. But it was to his house again that Jesus paid another visit, just 6 days before the Passover. They threw a dinner party for Jesus and Mary “anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair.”This sparked the controversy, started by Judas Iscariot: “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?”.
Remember that old adage: “Our faults irritate us most when we see them in others.” How many times, for example, do we notice with judgment, the behaviour of others, only later to realize that we do the very same things ourselves? That old proverb gives us great insight into human behaviour. There is a version of this story that appears in all 4 of the Gospels, with some slight variations, but all four have one thing in common: there are people who are indignant at this display of affection. They complain it costs too much, it is a waste, and, as Judas says, this money could have been given to the poor.
But we might want to consider whether this is reflective of us at times, namely, too cynical, ready to judge even a good thing. John explains that Judas’ words were said not because he actually cared about the poor “but because he was a thief”. His judgement was not based on a moral principle, or an unselfish, altruistic motive, but to mask the truth, his underlying heart. He attempted to deceive others, perhaps even himself.
Today may be a good time to question, our motives, our judgements: is love for Christ and my neighbour the basis of my decisions and actions? Do these 2 great commandments inform my point of view? Or do I judge others based on my weaknesses, my sinfulness? – namely, seeing in others what bothers me about myself? Jus to something to think about!