This Sunday's readings seem to speak directly to the prophets of
today... and that is all of us who embrace our baptismal call. In
the first reading from the book of Ezekiel, we are told that
whenever we speak God's truth "whether they heed or resist--for they
are a rebellious house--they shall know that a prophet has been
among them." People really know in their heart of hearts what is
right... but often choose to ignore it. In the second reading from 2
Corinthians, we hear St. Paul say "I am content with weaknesses,
insults, hardships, persecutions, and constraints, for the sake of
Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong." Somehow a prophet
must rely on God because the job description has God's consolation
as the only benefit. In the Gospel passage from Mark, we hear Jesus
reflect on his own rejection as a prophet : "A prophet is not
without honor except in his native place and among his own kin and
in his own house." Truth often falls on deaf ears especially if
spoken close to home.
The message from Ezekiel, at least for me, touches on the fact that prophets must continue to heed God's call regardless of the outcome of what happens to them or how those who hear the prophetic words react. That is hard to embrace. St. Paul is able to reach a point of enduring the hardships he faced when preaching the words of truth because he focused on the words of the Lord that "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." That should be a mantra for all of us ! Even Jesus himself had to accept that his fruitfulness was limited by the lack of faith of those in his native place. No one has 100% control over the effectiveness of the message, no matter what the message or by whom it is delivered.
I think all of us have spoken prophetic words of truth to those who really didn't want to hear them: to our children, to those with whom we live, to those in leadership roles, to bosses, to pastors, maybe even to higher officials of church or state, and, in truth, probably to ourselves ! Rarely is the response a positive one especially if spoken "in our native place" i.e. close to our home or heart. Should we continue or should we cut our losses and retreat?
Truth requires change and most often, people simply do NOT want to change. Being a prophet (or in modern terms a whistle-blower) often gets one labeled as a rabble-rouser, trouble- maker, or someone who is quarrelsome or a dissenter rather than a peacemaker. Prophets often feel isolated, beaten down, and often abandoned by former friends and even the One whose Truth they speak. Who wants to stand beneath a banner with those labels? Not many, unless the Holy Spirit nudges one to move a little closer to Jesus who was also labeled that way. It takes someone with the heart of a Catherine of Siena, whether speaking at home or to those in power in a larger arena.
The media presents far too many stories of those who stand for truth amid terrible emotional pain including young men who were physically abused by a coach, a bus monitor bullied by young students, and even church workers who are ridiculed or restrained by various means by those in authority. Sometimes we are also fortunate to hear about the very few who will stand with them initially. They often rally the rest of those caught up in apathy and make a positive difference in the outcome.
Prayerful people often leave such tough problems in God's hands. Good call ... but not the last word. In my opinion, God put us into this world with a baptismal call to be His hands and feet and voices. Prayer tells us when to reach out in truth, how to walk toward truth, and to speak Truth as loudly as if with a million voices as St. Catherine said. (Yes, I do admit, I am not the silent type. I am prayerful, however.)
May we all acknowledge our call as prophets and be ready to identify truth, stand for it, and work for it. May we listen to rather than dismiss those who see the truth more clearly before we can see it at all. May we be able to hear the small still voice within us to know when it is time to change direction and when it is time to stand firm. May all prophets know the consolation of the Lord!
(Comments to Lanie at lanieleblanc@mindspring.com.)