Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk

14^th Sunday of the Year, B – July 8, 2018.

Readings: Ezekiel 2:2-5; Ps 122:1-5; 2 Corinthians 12:7-10; Gospel – Mark 6:1-6.

Theme – Contempt for Prophets & the Challenge of Witnessing!

Introduction

Friends in the Lord, our liturgy unveils the mandate and burden of prophethood. It reveals how indispensable the voice of the prophet is in society and the contempt with which some people in the society reject what the prophet says and stands for. In fact, it particularly notes the conspiracy theory manufactured to deal with prophets but particularly urges prophets not to lose sight of their indefectible mission of witnessing. While attempting to reflect on the theme: “Contempt for Prophets and the Challenge of Witnessing,” we shall take a look at the historical background as well as a summary of the readings. These will help us to situate the theme around practical pastoral lessons.

Background & Summary of the Readings

Ezekiel got his call to be a prophet during one of the greatest crises in Israel’s history. It will be recalled that in 597 BCE, the Babylonians overran the city of Jerusalem defeating Israel’s small army. To add salt to injury, they placed Zedekiah, their own puppet on the throne. Within a decade, Zedekiah attempted to resist the overbearing influence of the Babylonians by aligning with Egypt. That reckless attempt brought down the wrath of Nebuchadnezzar on Israel leading to the removal of the king and court to Babylon around 587 BCE. This sad incident made Israel to cease to exist as a nation for many years as evidence in the allegorical narrative of Ezekiel 17.   

Our first reading (Ezekiel 2:2-5) discloses that it is in this “season of dry bones” that the Prophet Ezekiel was called to preach. The apparent defeat, plunder and death combined to make his “job” difficult. The reading reveals that God called the prophet Ezekiel to minister to those who have rebelled against him but states: “whether they listen or not, this set of rebels shall know there is a prophet among them.” Apparently, the prophet notes that the rebellion was carried out by both their ancestors and their children. The text suggests that the prophet has little or no freedom from fulfilling the prophetic mandate which is wrapped in opposition and rebellion.   

In the second reading, (2 Corinthians 12:7-10) St. Paul gives testimony of how Satan tried to be a torn in his flesh as he strove to carry out his missionary mandate. He, however, discloses how the Lord assures him thrice: “My grace is enough for you.” As a consequence, Paul stresses: “…I am quite content with my weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions and agonies I go through for Christ’s sake. For it is when I am weak that I am strong.” 

The gospel reading (Mark 6:1-6) presents us with the story of the contempt shown to Jesus by people of his home-town, Nazareth. They people even made reference to his trade (carpentry) and his mother (Mary), cousins (James, Joset, Jude and Simon) as familiar ground for taking him for granted. As a result, they did not accept him. Because the origin of the Messiah was unknown (John 7:27) his relatives could not believe he was the Messiah. Perhaps they were trying to tell him, “Physician, heal yourself” (Luke 4:24). To this, Jesus said: “A prophet is only despised in his own country, among his own relations and in his own house.” As a result, he could not work many miracles there. In fact, he was amazed at their lack of faith.

Pastoral Application & Practical Lessons

1. Today, we are reminded that amidst apparent defeat, plunder or even death as experienced by the Israelites during and after Babylonian captivity, the Lord still appoints Prophets like Ezekiel, who are out current ministers of the Word and Sacraments to preach hope, restoration and salvation to his people.

2. Priests/Pastors must always remember that as in times past, there is an army of rebels in and out of the pews who strategize to stand against the message of salvation and liberation of the people which Christians must resist.

3. That the rebellion against prophet Ezekiel was orchestrated by their ancestors and their children presupposes that those who resist the growth of the gospel or truth often hand over that poisonous chalice to their children and family members whom we must put an eye on otherwise the gospel message of Christ would be compromised.

 4.  The assertion “whether they listen or not, this set of rebels shall know there is a prophet among them” should propel contemporary prophets to stand their ground against any malice of foes by insisting on their divine mandate to be the mouth-piece of God and voice of the voiceless.

5.  The divine mandate given to contemporary prophets does not provide immunity to sin¸ weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions and agonies which is why St. Paul cried out in the second reading that Satan is a torn in his flesh.

6. On a Sunday like this, we pray for Pastors of souls who have derailed and those who are in serious difficulty bearing in mind the words of the Lord: “My grace is enough for you.”

7.  Just as the people of Nazareth were contemptuous towards Jesus, the family and friends of priests and religious are sadly the very ones who disrespect and condemn their own thus fulfilling the saying of Jesus: “A prophet is only despised in his own country, among his own relations and in his own house.”

8. Just as Jesus could work many miracles in his hometown because of their lack of faith, many priests and religious find it difficult to counsel or advice their siblings and friends because “familiarity breeds contempt.”

9. Pastors of souls are reminded that the contempt for prophets is an ancient phenomenon which they must confront head-on as they witness to Christ in a challenging world.

10. Like the years past, the contempt for organised religion, morals and those who raise the stakes challenges all Christians to stand out against all rebels whose aim is to wipe out the Christian faith by reporting them to the Eucharistic Jesus whose hand is not too short to safe.

Homiletic Points to Remember

1. Our liturgy unveils the mandate and burden of prophethood.

2. It also reveals how indispensable the voice of the prophet is in society and the contempt with which some people in the society reject what the prophet says and stands for.

3. It particularly notes the conspiracy theory manufactured to deal with prophets but particularly urges prophets not to lose sight of their indefectible mission of witnessing.

4. [Our liturgy] suggests that the prophet has little or no freedom from fulfilling the prophetic mandate which is wrapped in opposition and rebellion.  

5. Pastors of souls are reminded that the contempt for prophets is an ancient phenomenon which they must confront head-on as they witness to Christ.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we urge those who preach the gospel to shun pride even as they carry out the mission of Christ. There is the temptation to play God in all matters by taking arbitrary decisions. On the contrary, the Church urges pastors of souls to emulate Christ who is the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets to grant all those who propagate the gospel the grace to be worthy ministers who would preach the gospel in season and out of season.

In a world where money and power appears to lure ministers of the gospel, we pray that they may be empowered like the prophet Ezekiel to speak truth to power come rain, come shine. May the family and friends of contemporary prophets and indeed, all Christians not help in countering the faith but support their very own in the missionary enterprise. Amen.