Not fair - at the same time you say inventing your own definitions makes it easy to sidestep issues, you then tell me an “honest Catholic” is one who agrees with you in terms of to whom we pray - even though so many of us admitted Catholics tell you we don’t partake in such a practice.
According to his definition of prayer ... Jesus prayed TO Lazarus.
What is the issue? If you support his definition of prayer then you should have no problem admitting this. But what I think is happening is that you are seeing where this belief is going to lead.
Let me go further on his point ...
Since Jesus prayed to Lazarus ... why don't Catholics in general pray to Lazarus. Shouldnt you follow the example Christ gave and mix in a "Dear Lazarus" in between a Hail Mary and an Our Father?
Now let me say ... I am certainly applying the Limbaugh method of using absurdity to demonstrate absurdity. But this is the place you are forced to go when you impose arbitrary definitions upon the text to support a priori theological musings ... rather that exegete the Biblical passage and let it speak for itself. There is nothing in the text to impose the belief that "Jesus didn't command Lazarus" or "Jesus prayed to Lazarus."
even though so many of us admitted Catholics tell you we don’t partake in such a practice.
Which is it? Do you or do you not 'communicate' with dead saints?