Wednesday of the Second Week of Lent
In Lumen Gentium, a document from Vatican II, we learn that the people of God by virtue of their Baptism share in Christ’s office of priest, prophet and king. This sharing means we too are called through grace to be faithful disciples who imitate Christ. In thinking of these three roles, do we see ourselves as priest, prophet and king? Would I dare think of myself as a prophet? Do I embrace my ministry as priest or prophet with joy, or is it more like resentment? Often our response is like Jeremiah, “Oh Lord, I am too young to do that.” Or like Jonah, “No Lord, your crazy if you think I’ll do that,” and then we run the other way. Sometimes we are like today’s disciples, “Sure we can drink the same cup Lord;” all the while failing to realize that Jesus means to lay down his life.
Being a prophet often means sharing a difficult truth lovingly with someone who does not want to hear the message. In the first reading, the people of Judah are plotting against the prophet Jeremiah. They conspire to destroy Jeremiah with his own tongue, primarily because his prophecy is nearly impossible to accept. Jeremiah senses the hatefulness growing around him and prays for protection. Ironically, Jeremiah is being plotted against by the very people he spoke up for with God. The twist is not lost on us. Who among us has not tried to tell the truth only to be rejected? Conversely who among us has easily heard difficult truths and accepted them joyfully? Still, the reality may be that the prophetic message we are being offered comes directly from God. And the challenge it offers may be the very transformation we need.
What is our reaction to a prophetic message? Do we want to run away? Do we get defensive or do we simply ignore the tough message? In reality, our reaction might incorporate all of these responses. In today’s gospel the disciples seem to be ignoring Jesus’ foretelling of his imminent death. Some of them are more worried about where they will get to sit in the Kingdom of Heaven. Of course, Jesus eventually brings the point back to his prophecy. The message is that Jesus came to be a servant, not to be served, even to the point that he will have to lay down his life.
Reflect on your Lenten disciplines. There may be one in particular practice that is challenging you in a prophetic way to be a servant. Or perhaps, there is a person in your life who has been trying to lovingly tell you a difficult truth. Have you heard their message or ignored it? How is God trying to transform you into a better servant?
“Lord, in Your kindness your lovingly challenge us to do your will. Transform our everything in our hearts to tell us to reject your prophetic call. Then with open hearts and minds, challenge us to be radical disciples, who when faced with the gospel call respond openly. Amen!”
-Michael Montgomery