Advent 2: The Precarious Lot of the Prophets
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Isaiah 11:1-10;Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19; Romans 15:4-13; Matthew 3:1-12
We are peculiar beings, we humans. We need instructions to go from point A to point B, yet forget to use a map and avoid asking for help. We want to have knowledge, yet bemoan the amount of time and effort which must be dedicated to learning.
The Hebrew people knew they needed the prophets for guidance, solace and messages from the Almighty. In that light, the role of prophet Sounds like a nice job, but in reality, living and relaying divine truth holds few 'perks'.
Prophets were run out of town, subjected to all matter of ridicule, disrespect and dismissal. Ah, what a two-edged sword.
The New Testament prophet, John the Baptist, followed in the tradition of the prophets before him. He was slightly eccentric and had a message to deliver to the people of Israel. His message was one of repentance.
No one want to be told to 'clean up your act or else..' even if the warning is deserved. John's message was particularly important: through humility, inspiration and prayer he learned that he would be the messenger sent just before the Messiah would arrive. He would hand over his disciples to Jesus. He knew he was not worthy of his calling, but heard from Jesus himself that he was worthy. Even in John's doubts while imprisoned, he tried to believe and seek the assurance of Jesus as Messiah.
Some are called to be teachers, speakers, healers, prophets. The church, even today, needs all the gifts given by God to all its people. Yet even today, prophets get little respect and significant resistance.
We all are messengers of the Good News. Let God open our hearts to hear His wisdom spoken through the prophets unto this very day. Without the insight, truth and vision provided by the prophets, the mouth of God is muzzled to our own detriment and that of the Gospel.
Welcome the prophets of the Most High and treat them well. The burden they bear is for the sake of us all.
Isaiah 11:1-10;Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19; Romans 15:4-13; Matthew 3:1-12
We are peculiar beings, we humans. We need instructions to go from point A to point B, yet forget to use a map and avoid asking for help. We want to have knowledge, yet bemoan the amount of time and effort which must be dedicated to learning.
The Hebrew people knew they needed the prophets for guidance, solace and messages from the Almighty. In that light, the role of prophet Sounds like a nice job, but in reality, living and relaying divine truth holds few 'perks'.
Prophets were run out of town, subjected to all matter of ridicule, disrespect and dismissal. Ah, what a two-edged sword.
The New Testament prophet, John the Baptist, followed in the tradition of the prophets before him. He was slightly eccentric and had a message to deliver to the people of Israel. His message was one of repentance.
No one want to be told to 'clean up your act or else..' even if the warning is deserved. John's message was particularly important: through humility, inspiration and prayer he learned that he would be the messenger sent just before the Messiah would arrive. He would hand over his disciples to Jesus. He knew he was not worthy of his calling, but heard from Jesus himself that he was worthy. Even in John's doubts while imprisoned, he tried to believe and seek the assurance of Jesus as Messiah.
Some are called to be teachers, speakers, healers, prophets. The church, even today, needs all the gifts given by God to all its people. Yet even today, prophets get little respect and significant resistance.
We all are messengers of the Good News. Let God open our hearts to hear His wisdom spoken through the prophets unto this very day. Without the insight, truth and vision provided by the prophets, the mouth of God is muzzled to our own detriment and that of the Gospel.
Welcome the prophets of the Most High and treat them well. The burden they bear is for the sake of us all.
posted by Joanna Depue | 3:22 AM
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