Today’s readings all speak to what it means to be a prophet. In the first reading, Ezekiel is told by God that he is to go to the Israelites and proclaim God’s message to them. God warns Ezekiel that he’s likely to meet with opposition, as the Israelites are “hard of face and obstinate of heart”, yet as a prophet Ezekiel can do nothing else but follow God’s command. The psalmist also describes the hardships that a prophet will entail. In the second reading, Paul tells the Corinthians that he, too, has suffered because of his proclaiming the Gospel. Lastly, we read in Mark’s Gospel about Jesus’ return to Nazareth, His hometown. The people there remembered Him as a child and a carpenter, and they were unable or unwilling to grasp that He was now speaking to them about God so authoritatively and intensely. Because of their lack of faith, Jesus was unable to proclaim the Gospel through working miraculous deeds.

We are also called to be prophets, to proclaim the Good News; at our baptism we were proclaimed “priest, prophet, and king.” If Jesus Himself met with opposition, how can we realistically expect otherwise? It can be very difficult to share our faith with others, and often the hardest audience consists of our loved ones, both family and friends. Just as the people of Nazareth thought they knew Jesus and were unwilling to see Him in His role as the ultimate prophet, our loved ones may try to pigeon-hole us as well. Yet, our calling remains, and Jesus is right there with us. He knows how hard it is to be misunderstood, and He’s there to help us be as loving to those who don’t accept us as prophets as He was to those who wouldn’t accept Him. And He never gave up, right to the end; neither should we lose heart.

Reflection by Parishioner John Ceglarek