REFLECTION Sunday´s Gospel

Called to be prophets!  (Fr James McTavish, FMVD)

Each Christian is called to participate in the prophetic mission of Christ. But it is not easy to be a prophet if we always want everyone to agree with us. Perhaps we can ask ourselves “How much of a conformist am I?”  Sometimes we will never share about our faith because we are so worried about what others will think. How much we like others to agree with us and how much we can even get upset with a little criticism! But as prophets we need to start to accept that not always everyone will agree with what we have to say. Look at our Lord and Master in today’s gospel. At first he is the talk of the town. He goes back to his native place to teach in the synagogue and many who heard him were amazed. “Where did this man get all this? What kind of wisdom has been given him? What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands!” (See Mark 6, 1-6). The people were impressed by Jesus but they were also challenged. Perhaps the universal love of Jesus for all men was too much for the small town folk. God always challenges our loving. It is easy to be complacent, thinking we are good Christians, better than others. Often it is said “I am not a bad person. I haven’t killed anyone”! While Jesus does not challenge his townsfolk he is welcomed and loved. But when he starts to challenge them or ask them to widen their perspective, to love those who are difficult, to forgive, to not keep a record of wrongs or to walk the extra mile. Hey, hold on a minute Mr. Jesus, just who do you think you are? How many times we need to be challenged to make an exodus from our comfort zone!

In the spiritual classic ‘The Imitation of Christ, it says “Many are in love with my Kingdom but few are ready to carry my cross. Everyone would like to rejoice with me but few wish to suffer with me. Many love me as long as they are without trials. Many praise me and bless me as long as they receive favours. Many follow me to the breaking of the bread but few to drinking the cup of my Passion”. When his own townsfolk are challenged by the magnamity of Jesus’ love for all they start to criticize him “Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary,and the brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?" The evangelists records that “they took offense at him”. Jesus was amazed at their lack of faith. How great if we could amaze Jesus with our strong faith just like the Centurion did. Looking at our faith today, would Jesus be amazed at it, or at its lack?

At times to be coherent with our faith our lives will attract criticism as did the life of Jesus. One example of this was Oscar Romero, an Archbishop of El Salvador. For much of his life he was just a conformist, turning a blind eye to the political killings in his country. One day at the funeral of a priest friend who had been assassinated he had a conversion. He started to speak out. He started to take seriously what God was telling him. To be a prophet to his own people and to the leaders in power. God spoke to Archhbishop Romero in the same way he spoke to the prophet Ezekiel in the first reading of today “As the LORD spoke to me, the spirit entered into me and set me on my feet, and I heard the one who was speaking say to me: Son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites, rebels who have rebelled against me; they and their ancestors have revolted against me to this very day. Hard of face and obstinate of heart are they to whom I am sending you. But you shall say to them: Thus says the LORD GOD! And whether they heed or resist—for they are a rebellious house—they shall know that a prophet has been among them. (Ezekiel 2, 2-5).

Oscar Romero was indeed a prophetic voice amidst the violence in El Salvador. He was told to be quiet, to stop causing trouble. He was criticized but responded thus “Do you want to know if your Christianity is genuine? Here is the touchstone: Whom do you get along with? Who are those who criticize you? Who are those who do not accept you? Who are those who flatter you? Know from that what Christ said once: "I have come not to bring peace, but division." There will be division even in the same family, because some want to live more comfortably by the world's principles, those of power and money. But others have embraced the call of Christ and must reject all that cannot be just in the world.” He spoke out to defend the rights of the people of El Salvador. One day, having announced to the military to live in a Christian way he was shot through the heart while celebrating the Eucharist.

Many times we are called to be a prophetic voice too. In fact, each Christian by virtue of their baptism is called to share in the very prophetic mission of Christ. Perhaps as a mother sharing the faith to her children, or a father helping to orient a wayward son who does not want to listen. It can also be the other way round, that children have to be bold in telling certain things to their parents that they do not want to hear! Those in  positions of responsibility often have to speak out to defend the truth or in management to correct an employee who is not performing. As Catholics there are certain social issues that cannot be ignored such as the duty to announce the right to life. It is helpful to ask the Lord in what way we can share in his prophetic mission? In this challenging mission God’s grace will strengthen us in our weaknesses. As the Lord reminded St Paul “My grace is enough for you”. Let us take up the challenge to be prophets in our own little ways. And not to expect everyone to always agree with us!