There is a beautiful meditation in the Magnificat (shout out) that says the meaning of Lazarus name is "boethou'menos"- one who has been helped. I was struck deep at the meditation as it says the rich man was guilty of nothing more than pride....but what a horrible repercussion to his pride...not only was the rich man sent to an eternity of damnation but an eternity knowing that in all probability his brothers would follow. What a horrible burden!
But the saddest realization is that the opportunity for the rich man to "rid himself" from the sin of pride was before him on a daily basis. The reason Lazarus sat at the gate of the rich man was to hold the rich man accountable. Lazarus could have sat in a dark corner hiding his sores, filth, and even his deep longing to eat just the scraps that fell from the rich man's table but instead Lazarus was in plain site of the rich man day after day...which if you think about it is actually an act of mercy on the part of Lazarus. By sitting at the rich man's gate Lazarus offered with humility a constant means for the rich man to be relieved of his sin of pride and enter the kingdom of heaven.
We are called to have mercy on one another and to help each other carry our cross. We are called to examine our interactions with humanity and how we are relieving one another's sufferings. We may not see beggars covered with sores at our gates but everyday we pass by those who are suffering whether that be in body or mind. And it is our responsibility, as followers of Christ, to put aside our pride and reach down and help our suffering brothers and sisters carry their cross.
And by the same token, it is our responsibility to our brothers and sisters in Christ, to offer them the opportunity to help us carry our cross and rid themselves of the sin called pride...which if you think about it, the refusal to allow someone to help you carry your cross is also an act of pride.
If we think that we can live life alone with no help from others we are mistaken and filled with just as much pride as the rich man who walks buy the suffering Lazarus day after day.
I encourage you to use this beautiful time of Lent to look around you and see where Christ is offering an opportunity to rid yourself of such sins as pride...take a moment to look at your gate for Lazarus....he only wants the crumbs from your table after all.
+SM
