14TH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME, YEAR B.

4th July 2021.

EVERY CHRISTIAN IS A PROPHET; A VOICE THAT CRIES AGAINST EVIL.

On this 14th Sunday, we are reminded of our prophetic role as Christians. Although this prophetic role, does not bring us comfort, we must continue to exercise it. This is because, the grace of God is sufficient for us, and makes us strong. God speaks to the world through our voices. We are called to play our prophetic role in our rebellious generation, in our families, in our communities, and in our streets, workplaces, schools, and in the world at large.

There is much rebellion in our time against God, against nature, against divine institutions (the church), and against the fabrics of our moral, social and cultural heritage. So, God speaks to us today as he spoke to Ezekiel in our first reading: “Son of man, I am sending you... to the rebels who have turned against me.” So, we must be that voice that cries against injustice, oppression, immorality, corruption, and ungodliness.

In the second reading, Paul describes his burden for the sake of Christ. This burden was like a thorn in his flesh. For Paul, the burden includes: “insults, hardships, persecutions, loneliness, and agonies.” They were his cross as a prophet. Unfortunately, these are things we do not want to experience because, we do not want any discomfort or we want everyone to like and, to say only good things about us. But unless we have this burden garnished with zeal, we cannot achieve anything and, it will remain ever heavy upon us.

So, even when things are going wrong under our watch, we are afraid to speak out. Our attitude is that of: “Please, let the sleeping dog lie so that I can have my peace.” I do not want to hurt anybody. I do not want to lose him or her. Unfortunately, the truth is that if you do not correct or help him or her today, tomorrow you will lose him or her forever.

God saw this same fear in Jeremiah and said to him: “Get ready Jeremiah; go and tell them everything I command you to say. Do not be afraid of them or I will make you even more afraid of them” (Jer 1, 17). The truth is that these are burdens we must bear as Christians if our society must be safe. We must not be afraid because the grace of God is sufficient for us. So, if we are willing, God will fill us with his grace.

In the gospel, Jesus was filled with this grace and spoke fearlessly. Of course, he got his own share of rejection. They ridiculed him, called him names like: “The son of a mere carpenter.” They called him an illiterate and a rebel. In spite of all these, he was not discouraged. Instead, he continued to preach and heal his generation.

We must not be afraid to carry out our prophetic ministries in spite of the odds against us. Rather, we are to bear them patiently so that good might triumph over evil, truth over the lie, light over darkness and, peace over war. “Where there is no prophetic voice the people perish” (Prov 29:18). We are all called to be that voice to our ailing generation.

I wish you a blessed day.