FR. JUDE LANGEH, CMF | 2019
Claret Media Cameroon
Prophets have been called to proclaim the message of God and to denounce evil in the society in which they live. They are visionaries for they see beyond their present time and circumstances. It is because they see what others do not naturally see that some reject their message. Others reject their message because it challenges their comfort zones which are of course contrary to God’s will. One of such prophets who arose at a critical time in the history of Israel was Jeremiah.
The call of the Prophet Jeremiah is dramatic. He hears the voice of God telling him ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you”. Even before he ever left his mother’s side he was chosen, consecrated and designated because at the time of his conception the kings of the North with the priests and princes had become unfaithful and idolatrous. God now sends Jeremiah to redress the situation and announce his wrath against them. It was not going to be easy for him. In fact, it was an ordeal, since these people wielded a lot of power and could resist and threaten someone to claim to do better. Jeremiah’s mission was essentially to remind them of the good things God had done for them, though they turned away from him.
Jesus Christ was also prophetic in His mission as the redeemer. The Gospel is better understood in conjunction with that of Last Sunday. Having read excerpts from the scroll of Isaiah chapter 61 and 58, Jesus declared that these promises of healing, freedom, Good news for the poor and a year of favour were being fulfilled in the midst of his listeners. Just as Jeremiah was misunderstood, so are Jesus’ efforts thwarted by a lack of acceptance. Despite this we can echo that today, that same healing and salvation are available all through the Church. Inspired by the love of Christ, the Church has been called to a prophetic mission in the world.
We must accept the message of Christ and the prophetic message of the Church no matter how it touches our comfort zones. Many persecute the Church for touching sensitive topics on family and marital issues. Many criticise the church for asking the rich to be more charitable. Many criticise the Church on many other prophetic messages. All of us are members of this Church! It is not only the Church of the Priest and Bishops. As members of this Church, you are one among the prophets in your SCC and in your family and in the Society. We should never deny Christ, much less try, like his neighbours in Nazareth to throw him to his death over a cliff.
But how often in our private actions, and in our daily dealings with our neighbours do we push him and his doctrine given to us through his church and act as if we don’t know him. In this, we are no better than Christ’s neighbours of Nazareth and we grieve his loving heart as much as they did on that sad day. Let us preach the Gospel in Season and out of season.