Sunday, July 7, 2024
Prophets are divinely inspired messengers who communicate God’s timeless truths and divine revelations to their contemporaries. The readings for today speak of three such prophets. Ezekiel, an Israelite priest, born into a priestly family, was called by God to preach to a people who had turned away from Him. The Israelites were initially resistant and did not welcome Ezekiel’s prophecies, but they later recalled them during their exile. St. Paul the Apostle, a devout Jew and a Pharisee, initially persecuted Jesus’s followers. However, after encountering the risen Christ, he underwent a dramatic conversion and became a fervent believer and preacher of the Gospel. Paul was persecuted and tortured for his faith. Jesus came to teach and bring salvation to all. The people of Nazareth initially marveled at His teachings but then mocked and rejected Him because He was too familiar to them, a carpenter’s son.
Through prayer and education, the Church promotes vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, and consecrated life. The Church also continues the tradition of seeing its entire body as called by God to preach the Gospel. “Jesus Christ is the one whom the Father anointed with the Holy Spirit and established as priest, prophet, and king. The whole People of God participates in these three offices of Christ and bears the responsibilities for mission and service that flow from them.” (Catechism §783). Through Baptism and the anointing with sacred Chrism, the same oil used in Confirmation and Holy Orders, we are called to be “Priest, prophet, and king.” A call to holiness and to spread the light of the Gospel, even if we feel that we are not ready or well-equipped to respond. Prophets in the Bible often shared our shortcomings, but even when faced with opposition and persecution, they trusted God and overcame their trepidations. “In their “one to one” encounters with God, the prophets draw light and strength for their mission. Their prayer is not flight from this unfaithful world, but rather attentiveness to The Word of God. At times their prayer is an argument or a complaint, but it is always an intercession that awaits and prepares for the intervention of the Savior God, the Lord of history.” (Catechism §2584).
When people are called to repentance or their preconceptions are challenged, their hearts are often hardened as they remain mired in pride, self-absorption, and sin. They ignore or reject God’s messengers. Ezekiel, Paul, and Jesus experienced rejection, but they held fast, teaching us to stay the course when we share the faith and God’s Word. In today’s reading from his letter, St. Paul warns against being “too elated” by our familiarity with the Word of God. Humility is the key to faithfully receiving and sharing the Gospel. He writes what God revealed to him: “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9). Let us acknowledge our limitations, even as we do good and bear fruit, and ask God to teach and instill perfect humility in us.
Go in Peace to Love and Serve the Lord.