Do you consider yourself a prophet?
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Prophet Ezekiel by Michelangelo
Have you ever thought of yourself as a prophet? We are called to be prophets but why and how do we live this calling?
We normally think of prophets as Biblical people from ancient times like Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel. What if I told you that all Baptized Christians are called to be prophets right here and right now in our daily lives? God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and established him as priest, prophet, and king (CCC 783). When we were baptized, not only were we cleansed of all sins and made children of God, we became members of Jesus’ mystical body. We became one with Jesus. That is why when we received the Sacrament of Baptism we were anointed with the Consecrated Chrism (myrrh) and “claimed by Christ and through the Holy Spirit and named priest, prophet and king (CCC 1241).” In the Old Testament, only priests, prophets, and kings were anointed upon assumption of their offices. As priests we are called to “consecrate the world itself to God” (Lumen Gentium 34) and as His kings to “lead others through word and deed to use our talents to advance the Kingdom of God” (CCC 1241). But what does it mean to be prophets in this day and age?
I used to think that prophets were people that predicted the future. But instead, they were and are people that speak God’s truth, through words or actions, proclaiming the will of God. You may have seen people in cities and train stations with megaphones proclaiming the good news of salvation. That’s how they chose to be prophets. We can be prophets with our co-workers, friends, neighbors, and family members in things big or small. But, what would I say? What if I don’t know what to say and do? All we need to do is bear God’s truth by word or deed. In yesterday’s first reading (Ezekiel 2: 2-5) God simply tells the prophet, “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!”
We just need to apply God’s word and will to the moment, “Thus says the Lord God.” Seeking to walk humbly with God by taking time to be in His presence during daily prayer and meditation and studying scriptures prepares us to be good vessels for him. So does participating in mass and the church’s sacramental life with an open heart. We also need silence in our lives to her God’s whispers.
Given the ways of the world, it is likely that speaking God’s truth won’t be easy and that people will not accept what we say or do. We are calling people to a new way of life. God told Ezekiel, “You shall speak my words to them, whether they hear or refuse to hear; for they are a rebellious house.” It doesn’t matter if they at first reject the message or our example, we are planting seeds of life that will germinate at the right time. It is also likely that giving the values and priorities of the world, we may face rejection for the message, just like most prophets faced in all of history.
“Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and constraints, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong.”
CCC reference refers to the Catechism of the Catholic Church
