Word to the Wise
Wednesday, July 20, 2022 - Wednesday in the 16th Week in Ordinary Time
[Jer 1:1, 4-10 and Matt 13:1-9]"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you." "Ah, Lord God!" I said, "I know not how to speak; I am too young." But the Lord answered me: "Say not, 'I am too young.' To whomever I send you, you shall go; whatever I command you, you shall speak." ....Then the Lord extended his hand and touched my mouth, saying, "See, I place my words in your mouth!" [Jeremiah]
Jeremiah is traditionally known as "the reluctant prophet." From the moment of his calling, we learn how he feels about it. But God is insistent, pointing out that Jeremiah was destined from conception to be a prophet, a spokesman for God. The book that bears his name is ranked alongside Isaiah, Ezekiel and Daniel as one of the "major prophets." Over the next few days, the first scripture for Mass will come from that book.
The story of Jeremiah's summons, like that of Isaiah's [Is. 6:1-10] features the touch of God or an angel at the mouth of the prophet! It is God's message and not the prophet's opinions that must be proclaimed. What makes the role of the prophet difficult is the knowledge that God's word will cause anger and resistance. The image of "stiff-necked" people occurs often. Jeremiah's lament about his role [20:7-18] is a classic example of interior conflict. His colorful denunciations of the leadership of the Jewish people have given rise to a byword: "Jeremiad."
The role of the prophet is to call the people to account for their faithlessness in living up to God's commands. Predictions of the future are based on the conduct of the present. Israel was forming alliances with other nations that would lead to disaster because it meant also allowing foreign deities and practices to enter the culture. Their sense of political security, protected by the temple, would prove to be their downfall.
The role of the prophet has not changed much. It takes courage to confront the powers-that-be and the people-at-large with failure to live up to the ideals they profess, whether this be a local or national or international situation. The results can be dangerous, as the lives of Old Testament prophets and John the Baptist and Jesus show. How much courage do we have to speak up with the words of God when the powerful lead the nation astray? AMEN