In the first reading, we heard of one of the great spiritual
showdowns of the Old Testament—the prophet of the God of Israel, Elijah versus
the four hundred fifty prophets of Baal.
In dramatic fashion, Elijah proves that God is the One True
God and exposes the futility of belief in the false god, Baal. When you hear
the word “prophet” you might think of one who foretells the future. But in
Scripture and in our Tradition, the role of the prophet is to do exactly what
Elijah did in our first reading. The Prophet has the job of making the true God
known to the world, which might include the occasional showdown with the false
prophets.
So, who are the prophets these days? The Pope? The highly
trained theologian? Well, not just them, of course. God has raised up, called,
and anointed each of the baptized as prophets. Each of us has a role, a share,
in the Church’s prophetic mission.
To highlight your prophetic role, when you were baptized, the
priest or deacon who baptized you put oil on your head, and explained to you,
that as God “has given you new birth by water and the Holy Spirit”…”he now
anoints you, so that you may remain members of Christ, priest, prophet, and
king”
The Pope has a unique role as teacher and leader, but every
baptized person is called to be a messenger of God's truth and to proclaim the
Gospel. This mission involves living a holy life, serving others, and speaking
truth even when unpopular, following the example of the biblical prophets, and
of course, Jesus, Our Blessed Lord Himself.
In the Gospel today, Our Lord himself connects good example
and our role to proclaim the truth: “whoever breaks one of the least of these
commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the Kingdom of
heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called
greatest in the Kingdom of heaven."
And so we should strive day by day to become the most
effective prophets we can; by ensuring we are giving good example and by
learning how to effectively teach the faith to people in the various
circumstances of their lives. This includes the members of our families, being
a good example for them, and also giving good Christian example when we are in
public. That’s probably the most effective prophetic witness we can give—is to
show people how God, how being Catholic can transform someone like me, into
someone like Jesus—how Christianity helps people become more like Christ. That’s
the task, just like Elijah, to point people to the one true God—through word,
example, acts of charity, obedience, bearing spiritual fruit for the glory of
God and the salvation of souls.
For the holy Church of God, and that every Christian make
take seriously their share in the Church’s prophetic mission.
For the peoples of the world: that they may come to
acknowledge and worship the one True God.
For the priests of the diocese who begin a new parish
assignment this week, especially for the newly ordained, that they may be
faithful Christ in every dimension of their ministry.
For our young people on summer vacation, for their
protection from the evils of our culture, from all physical harm, and that the
faith may be practiced and flourish in their families.
For all who are oppressed by any kind of need, that the Lord
may graciously grant them relief, especially for the sick and victims of war
and terror and natural disaster.
For the repose of the souls of our beloved dead, For the
deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, for the deceased priests
and religious of the diocese of Cleveland, for the poor souls in purgatory, and
for those who have fought and died for our freedom.
O God, our refuge and our strength, hear the prayers of your
Church, for you yourself are the source of all devotion, and grant, we pray,
that what we ask in faith we may truly obtain. Through Christ our Lord.
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