Friar’s Corner: Are we following true or false prophets?

Ezekiel 2:2-5; Ps 123:1-4; 2 Corinthians 12:7-10; Mark 6:1-

Let us ask God to help us understand what he is saying to us today with this little prayer line from the Eastern Liturgies.

Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, Who are everywhere present and fill all things, Treasury of Blessings and Giver of Life, come and increase Your presence within us, cleanse us of all stain (our sins) and save us, O gracious Lord.

Christian prophecy is the power to speak God’s message to influence, direct or redirect and console his people. It is given through one person to another person, group or whole nation, like Reverend Martin Luther King’s famous prophecy for our nation. It is mostly given in the first person singular, as God speaks through that person to direct others. It is not always popular and is at times accompanied by special signs. It must be discerned to know if it is that person’s own thoughts, God’s thoughts (which do not contradict scripture or official Church teachings) or thoughts from the "dark side," from demonic powers, spiritual or human.

Dark side prophecies today

We see evidence of this all around us each day as in the recent Supreme Court split decision on same-sex unions. They are trying to redefine God’s intended truth about marriage with their own definition. A few appointed judges are attempting to rewrite God’s plan and that of our Constitution for their agenda. I sense a great battle will arise against this.

Three of the readings this weekend, Ezekiel, St. Paul and St. Mark, testify that speaking God’s truly prophetic word is not popular and is resisted by many people and whole nations. That is what is happening in our country and world today: wars, abortion, pornography, drugs, alcoholism, etc. Following these trends, deceptions and lies of satan, will really take us to a final place we certainly would not choose to spent eternity. But the road is wide and many there are who are traveling on it, Matthew 7:13.

Prophets, be they persons, groups or churches, that speak out against these ideologies are persecuted, attacked and silenced. I know some powerful Catholic priest evangelists who have been greatly attacked by the dark side and silenced. (Could our major church leadership be afraid to speak out on major issues?)

Anointing

It is not comfortable to give God’s direction in dark times. Yet if God is speaking and anointing some to speak his words to our society, culture and country, they must obey him. One great example is the pro-life work of saving God’s innocent and defenseless children in the womb of their mothers. God bless all those countless ones who are on the front lines of this great prophetic work. There is joy in saving babies.

Sometimes we don’t get involved in special causes because of our own weakness as St. Paul speaks of his own weakness in the second reading today. God gave him a "thorn in his flesh," which he never defined. A physical weakness to remind him that it was not his power or eloquence but God’s power in him. The power of God’s word working in us. We have to submit to him. Often our family and friends may abandon us.

In the Gospel today from St. Mark 6, Jesus could not teach or heal many because of the rejection of his family in his hometown of Nazareth. Many grew up with him and did not understand who he was and what his mission was to save the human race. So Jesus could only cure a few sick people there. He had to move on to other villages that would listen and follow him.

Our response

What must we do today? We need to hear what God’s word is saying to us. We need to pray more each day, perhaps for an hour and seek to listen to what God wants to say to us. We need to work with others to live in God’s light getting filled with his power and joy. Thus, we shall be available to how God wants to use us to change our neighborhood, state, country and the world. We must stand on his principles to be effective members of his kingdom on earth.

I pray you had a good 4th of July and that God will abundantly bless your coming week.

Peace and joy,

+ Fr. Bob Hilz
© 2015 Fr. Bob Hilz, TOR

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Nancy Ward

Nancy Ward writes about conversion, Christian community, and Catholicism. After earning a journalism degree, she worked for the Diocese of Dallas newspaper and the Archbishop Sheen Center for Evangelization, then began her own editing service. She’s a regular contributor to CatholicMom.com, SpiritualDirection.com, CatholicWritersGuild.com, NewEvangelizers.com and a contributing author to The Catholic Mom’s Prayer Companion. Now, through her Sharing Your Catholic Faith Story: Tools, Tips, and Testimonies workshops, retreats, book, and DVD, she shares her conversion story at Catholic parishes and conferences, equipping others to share their own stories.

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