First Reading: Jeremiah 1:4-5, 17-19
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:31—13:13
Gospel: Luke 4:21-30
Do you believe that you are a prophet like Jeremiah is today’s first reading? Be careful how you respond…you may be thinking: “I am not a prophet, but a…” This is exactly how Amos responded: “Amos answered Amaziah: “I am neither a prophet nor a prophet’s son, but I was a shepherd and I also took care of sycamore fig trees.” (Amos7:13-15) The prophets in the Old Testament spoke for God. They did not speak their own message, but conveyed the information that God wanted. They spoke not in their name, but in the name of God. Think about the prophet Nathan, who confronted and corrected Kind David regarding his sinfulness. These prophets corrected either the rulers of Israel and/or the people of Israel.
By our Baptism and Confirmation, we are prophets of the gospel, as commanded by Jesus Christ. We witness by our actions and our words, like the prophets of the Old Testament. We carry out the prophetic mission of spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ to our world, by our love. It is not what we do or say that will change hearts and lives. Rather it is the love that motivates what we do or what we say. This will convince people that we speak for God. “…if I do not have love, I am nothing…Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. ” (from 1Cor13:1-13) Perhaps loving in this way seems unachievable. But, we must remember that this is the power of love. This is the power of God. The Good News is to be shared, witnessed and spread, “in season and out of season”!
God bless you always!
Deacon Mike