PROPHECY
INTRODUCTION
This morning I would like to preach on the theme of
prophecy. I read today’s three readings and that’s the theme that jumped out at
me: Prophecy.
All of us are called to be prophets. Not in the sense of
predicting that Giants will win the Super Bowl or that the New York Rangers
will win the Stanley Cup. No. But in the sense of knowing that going this way
or living life this way is good and going this way is bad.
PROPHET, PRIEST
AND KING
Our call by our Baptism is to be prophets, priests and
kings. All of us.
As priests, we are called to worship God. Liturgy. To thank
God each Sabbath for the gift of life -- for our daily bread -- for each other.
As kings we are called to be servant kings, to be the kind
of king and leader Jesus was: a foot washer.
As prophets to go in the right direction and lead others
there too. As prophets we are called to speak out -- to speak the truth -- even
when it’s difficult.
FIRST READING
In today’s first reading we hear about these two characters,
Medad and Eldad. Great names. The scene is the Israeli camp in Sinai. They have
fled Egypt and Moses is leading them to the promised land. Well, here we have
these two men, Medad and Eldad, preaching. Joshua, who has been an aide to
Moses from his youth comes running to Moses and says, “Moses, these two fellows
are preaching. Stop them.” And Moses says, “Are you jealous?” Then Moses gives
one of his best lines, “Would that the Lord might bestow his spirit on
everyone.”
SECOND READING
In today’s second reading we have something to prophesy
about. It’s this eternal rat race for money. It’s this ongoing horse race for
riches.
For the last few years I’ve been with people who say,
“Excuse me for a moment.” They turn on the TV and turn to the stock ticker. To
me it’s a horse race -- a big one -- an ongoing one -- where big betting is
going on.
The jockeys are all those guys and gals in the pit or at the
TV screen in countless offices buying and selling, selling and buying.
Yes it keeps the economy going.
I would say that we need prophets to speak out about extremes when it comes to this profit stuff.
James talks about wages being held back from farm hands who
harvested your fields. Then he goes after those who life in wanton luxury and
in the meanwhile are killing the just man.
There are people out there being hurt because of excess when
it comes to wanting big returns on the stock market. Companies move without
regard for towns and families, etc.
Someone needs to speak out. The prophet in all of us needs
to examine this.
GOSPEL
In today’s gospel Jesus runs into the same situation as
Moses did. People are preaching in Jesus name and helping people.
Jesus answers in a similar vein.
He tells his disciples to give. To give glasses of cold
water.
He tells his disciples to beware of taking in or on what
kills us.
Modern Prophets are saying the same thing. In the book, Life’s little Instruction Book, H.
Jackson Brown urges us to buy lemonade from kids who are selling it. He says to
stop and listen to street musicians and give them a buck.
Modern prophets - these talk show hosts - tell people to cut
off from their life relationships that kill us.
It’s difficult cut it gossip -- but think of the
consequences: garbage in, garbage out.
Picture a paparazzi who makes his money getting salacious or
invasive photographs for bad stories. Imagine if someone says that this is not
the way to live one’s life. Get another job. It will mean the loss of money,
but if he does it, he’s onto a better life.
Picture someone at work saying to his or fellow workers,
“There is too much laziness around here. Everyone is on an eternal coffee
break. No wonder companies move out.
CONCLUSION
Today’s readings call all of us to live our calling to be
prophets. Amen
