It wasn't even close. Poor Polycarp was a catch and release contestant, while Andrew the Fisherman filled his nets with votes. Andrew will go on to face Hyacinth. We will see which one will blossom.
Today's matchup points us towards Easter because both saints represent empty tombs.
In one corner, looking a bit like The Mummy, is Lazarus of Bethany,
I've always felt a little sorry for Lazarus, because he had ample time to enjoy the pleasure of heaven, assuming that we go there and don't just sleep until we are called awake on Judgement Day (both are attractive prospects; the first sounds a lot like the wonderful ending of CS Lewis' The Last Battle, the second sounds like a good rest).
What makes Lazarus human as well as miraculous is that he and his sisters were friends of Jesus, who knew their house and welcomed their hospitality. May our Lord always be welcomed under our own roofs.
In the other corner, we have Joseph of Arimathea.
All the gospels agree that Joseph was one of the friends of Jesus who care for his body after his death on the cross, selflessly giving up his own tomb for our Lord. As someone who had his own tomb, Joseph must have been a man of substance, He must have been notable in his community, because he was allowed an audience with Pilate the governor and requested that Pilate release Jesus' body. Notable or otherwise, that must have taken courage on Joseph's part. John's gospel also tells us that he was a Pharisee but secretly recognized the truth of who Jesus was. That makes him very human. Not all of us have the courage to give up our security for our beliefs, and so we try to do the best we can under the radar.
So an interesting choice. Lazarus was the recipient of grace, while Joseph was an active benefactor of Jesus. Your choice.
Vote here.
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