Our Identity as Prophets

Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time

1/31/07

Presented by Father Ed

 

Readings:

  • Jeremiah 1:4-5, 17-19 – the call of Jeremiah
  • 1 Corinthians 12:31-13:13 – “greatest of these is love;” jealousies and contentions must be replaced by mutual acceptance and love)
  • Luke 4:21-30 – Jesus faced resistance from his fellow Jews, but he would continue on his way.

 

 

God’s call to each of us to be a prophet includes:

 

  1. Divine initiative.
  2. The nature of the ministry is universal, extending to all peoples, and there’s going to be a resistance
  3. Assurance from God. He’ll protect his people and help them to carry out His mandate

 

This is evident in the Gospel reading from Luke:

    • In reaching out to those most desperately in need of salvation (the Gentiles), Jesus encountered resistance from his fellow Jews. But he would persevere.
    • Luke intends for this to be an example of Jesus to be followed by his disciples.
    • Preaching to the outcast and steadfast perseverance in the face of opposition are fundamental to the Christian’s baptismal call as a Prophet

 

 

What is a prophet? One who speaks the word of God on behalf of God.

 

  • Prophets are not “doomsayers” as many might think
  • In the Old Testament, prophets included Moses, Elijah, Amos, Hosea, Isaiah and Jeremiah
  • They frequently enacted their prophecies; warned the people of the consequences of their activities; formed people in the hope of God’s salvation and the promise of redemption; they and others were “anointed” – called and set apart by God for a lifelong task

 

Now, by receiving the sacrament of baptism, we are all called to be prophets. We share in the “prophetic” mission of Christ by baptism:

  • By living as a witness of Christ, especially by a life of love and faith
  • Empowers us to spread the “good news” (Gospel of Christ)
  • He anoints the baptized in the chrism of salvation. As Christ was anointed Priest, Prophet and King, so may we always live as a member of his body, showing everlasting life.
  • Those of us who share in Christ’s identity and mission knowingly accept the task of witnessing to and spreading the Gospel in spite of the hardships we might face. (Comparison to a wedding. The day of the wedding is wonderful, beautiful, and so is the marriage. But it’s not without work or trial and tribulation.) It is with this understanding that prior to baptism, the first ritual action the Church celebrates is the to-be-baptized person signed with the cross.
  • We’re being set apart for a specific task.

 

 

The Church: reflecting the light of Christ (CCC 748-810, Chapter 10, Catholic Catechism for Adults)

 

The Church is a holy mystery because of her origin in the Holy Trinity.

  • The Father called the Church into existence
  • The Son established the Church here on earth
  • The Holy Spirit filled the Church with power and wisdom, and abides with the Church always, creatively and providentially. (Pentecost Sunday: The Holy Spirit revealed the Church, forming the believers into a community and empowering them to proclaim Christ.)

 

The Church’s mission is to be the sacrament of salvation. To be a sign and instrument of God’s plan to unite all under Christ (God’s universal call to holiness)

 

The Church is the people of God. It includes the pope, patriarchs, bishops, priests, deacons, the laity, religious men and women (each with its special mission and responsibility).

 

  • Jesus Christ is the head of the Church, whose law is love of God and neighbor
  • The mission is to be the salt of the earth and light of the world and a seed of the possibility of unity, hope, salvation and holiness for humanity
  • The destiny is the Kingdom of God

 

All God’s people, through their baptism, participate in Christ’s roles as Priest, Prophet and King

 

Priestly people:

  • “Common priesthood” of all the faithful, the divine worship that can sanctify the world
  • Work, prayer, activities/endeavor, relaxation, sufferings/setbacks – all can become spirited offerings pleasing to God when united to the sacrifice of Christ. A holy presence in all aspects of our life.
  • The “ministerial priesthood” is the ordained priesthood, and it’s based on the common priesthood and ordered to its service

 

Prophetic people:

  • Teaching and witnessing God’s word in the world, leading others to faith
  • Missionary and evangelization activity
  • Catechetical ministry
  • Teaching of theology
  • Using all forms of contemporary media
  • These are all exercised with the guidance of the bishops, who have been entrusted by God with the special teaching responsibility

 

Royal people:

Leading others through loving service

Offering one’s self willingly in service to others

Service to all persons, cultures, governments and other structures of society

Service to the Church herself

 

 

And lastly, the Church is about communion.

Loving fellowship and union with Jesus and other baptized Christians in the Church