Lazarus

Jesus said, “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man’s table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was being tormented, he looked up and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side. He called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in agony in these flames.’ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony. Besides all this, between you and us a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who might want to pass from here to you cannot do so, and no one can cross from there to us.’ He said, ‘Then, father, I beg you to send him to my father’s house—for I have five brothers—that he may warn them, so that they will not also come into this place of torment.’ Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.’ He said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’” Luke 16:19-31

Oh Lazarus

You had to beg and wait
on the wealthy and haughty
who did not see you and often
never considering your state.

Oh Lazarus, you remind us
of our weakness and our need
we like to believe in strength
we need to know we are winners.

We are the fragile, the broken
we disguise ourselves in furs
drape ourselves in radiant silk
and fume within our frailty.

Oh Lazarus, beloved in poverty
a gem hidden in the dust and ashes
we despise what we truly are
and refuse to sit beside you.

Oh Lazarus, may we all be beggars
honest in our need and insecurities
may we know our home in heaven
ashamed of our selfishness here.