A PROPHET, REJECTED IN OWN COUNTRY

    

In Matthew’s account, the rejected Jesus at Nazareth, refers to himself as a prophet. More than a prophet Jesus is the Word Incarnate - the Truth in person. According to the OT, a prophet is a religious visionary and truth-teller, someone who feels with God and speaks out that felt experience. They speak truth to power. As he/she stubbornly sees the world through the lens of God’s word and speaks the truth, it implies opposition, confrontation, and critique. Prophets often spoke a ‘message from God’ while reading the signs of the times, spoke of God’s revealed truth into that particular situation, as a warning of what was to come if one did not follow the way. They simply and fearlessly pointed out the obvious (John the Baptist spoke bluntly against Herod the Tetrarch living with his brother’s wife). 

 Today’s prophets do not  condemn a person, instead, presents God’s word to evoke and provoke in order to enlighten others, and help to come face-to-face with the living God. We all need to heed to the “prophets'' of our days and participate in the prophetic ministry of Christ by incarnating God’s word within a particular situation; allow them to inform our way of thinking, acting, and speaking. Their ‘insights’ are the lens by which we read the signs of the times. John’s outspoken truth cost him his head. The nonsensical pride and vanity of the day can make people spineless. Persons become unable to resist the lure of the world. Sin strives.  Conscience and truth are compromised. Prophets, in such situation, become a light in the darkness. They give witness to us. We all are called to follow in the same prophetic path, remaining firm in the truth. Can we be counted among the prophets of our days? 

 The Present Day Prophets

It is time to listen to the prophets of today. Swami Agnivesh and Stan Swamy have been led to their death; so too many, innocent though, are languishing behind bars. Hans Kung died recently, unreconciled with the doctrinal Church. A Prophet raises up the conscience of the people with an existential and contextual significance. Persecuted as God’s servant ((Jn 15:20) Stan Swamy proved his prophetic identity, through a fuller participation in paschal mystery by self-emptying, for the sake of the marginalised and the exploited Adivasis in India (cf. Edwin Rodrigues, editorial, VJTR, 85(August 2021)8, p.4). Stan resisted inequality, and took prophetic stand for justice and human rights. A true prophet infuses valour and courage in persons, to be other prophets in the society. Like Stan, many a prophet, serve as a “grain of wheat that falls to the ground and dies” (Jn 12:24) through their upright life and struggle. Prophets express dissent and raise questions, to right the wrong through a strength of character. While the common people acclaim them, they face criticism and condemnation from the authority, for whom they are a threat. Prophets commit themselves to the cause of the most vulnerable and speak out for them through critical thought and action. They are the ‘salt’ and ‘leaven’ on this earth, to energize and bring new life in the people.

 Many prophets are still existing today through their extraordinary life of dedication to truth and justice. Many are critical of the Church, and yet are loyal to her despite of difficulties. Some are treated harshly by the Church and the society. Yet, they continue asking questions that calls for reflective answers. Many dare making significant contribution to the society and to the Church. Some recognize their prophetic nature manifested through their work and teaching. They serve as the signposts for a journey of radical transformation and change. Many of them prophesy through their writings and critics. In this changing time, their actions and words sum up their prophesying. The prophets seize the moment as ‘hot’, and alert others to opportunity for change, towards new direction. But often enough, the prophet in them is ignored, their words rejected. But in course of time, they are recognized, and the truth they hold to is acknowledged. Jesus had experienced so:  "A prophet is not honoured in his own home town"(Jn 4: 44). "No prophet is ever accepted in his own country" (Lk 4:24).

If we but listen, the words of prophesy continue to echo down the years, convincing people to follow the path that one should tread. Its vision continues creeping in. Their words continue to teach and take form, as people begin to imprint them in their minds and hearts. It disturbs, though, the peace of mind. That is what the prophets do. They dare disturb human silence, ask questions and suggest ways to follow. Like John the Baptist, the voice of the prophet leads to discomfort. Today, they raise issues that many avoid listening. Prophets today raise the problem of climate change and on caring for creation, for the sake of all, for now and for the future. They challenge our style of living, our values and judgments. They persist on saying, “listen before it is too late”. The Old Testament Prophets told a story for their people, in order to reflect, in practical terms, on the perceived will of God for their lives. The voice of John the Baptist, crying in the wilderness, drew attention of the people to Jesus. Prophets earn the title of prophet by their courage, examples and their fearless voice.

 Men and women of such fortitude and courage, point the direction that we must all follow. Some are titled ‘saints, others are passed by, unacknowledged.  Yet, their rippled impact is felt on our lives. If one discerns and observes, their prophecy becomes real. Prophets are persons, set aside, chosen from the people, to tell a story with a radical vision. In Deuteronomy we read, "The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your countrymen, you shall listen to him" (Deut 8.15). All faith traditions have their prophets, who tell a story to inspire and act. The Global Ethic Foundation (1996) of Hans Küng promotes dialogue between the faiths for peace and unity. Prophets give guidance, to which we need to listen and adhere to. But how? Prophetic words are written out there, if we are only ready to read them in our times. (cf. Chris McDonnell, https://international.la-croix.com/news/religion/prophecy-in-our-time/14349, 5.9.2021)

The Secular Lay Prophets

There are more lay prophets than the ‘clerical’ ones. The pandemic has precipitated a situation that ushered in many such lay prophets – doctors, nurses, social workers, health centres, etc., often without reputation.  They are known for taking decisive action to deal with the immediate solution to problems presently felt through a "leap of faith". These lay prophets rise above the reality of religious practices and rituals, in order to serve the society with responsibilities. During the past pandemic seasons since its start, many of them have not taken any vacation. Many stayed away from families for months just to serve the sick. Today’s lay prophets have started serving the Church and its clergy as official representatives in socio-secular fields and in the governance of the Church.  They serve as close collaborators with the Church authority, in a move that is “audacious, even prophetic”, entailing risks though. For them it is further more prophetic in being careful not to become an authoritarian "clericalized layperson". Instead, they try to promote complementarity between the different states of life while keeping in tune with the society and the representative of the "people of God". In fact, thy are ‘models’ to follow, in order to build a new reality. It is a lay culture of participation, which demands for progressive ecclesial changes by being discreetly outspoken. All the baptized are called to participate more fully (prophetically) in the life of the Church, motivated by more pragmatic considerations. It is more than doing a job as priests or laity. Now is the time and a chance to better appropriate a prophetic process in the life of the Church. (Cf. Mélinée Le Priol, Leap of faith leadership, https://international.la-croix.com/news/religion/diocese-in-switzerland-becomes-a-laboratory-for-lay-leadership/14724, 30.7.2021).

Prophets dream dreams.  They are essential for the world's evolution (Cf. Brendan MacCarthaigh, https://international.la-croix.com/news/ religion /dream-and-take-a-first-step/14832, 5.9.2021). They think and talk more seriously about dreams beyond mere expectations. These lay prophets anticipate the Kingdom of God while suffering ridicule and head-on opposition. Following certain ideals in life, they buy into a new interpretation of life, and dare promote it, in the midst of opposition. Such prophetic dreams are dangerous.  These dreamer-prophets come to us as unpleasant, yet history will speak of them in future.