The Cost of Being a Prophet

Reflection on Today's Readings, 12th Sunday of Ordinary Time A, 21st June, 2020
Texts: Jer. 20:10-13; Ps. 69:7-9,13,32-34; Rm. 5:12-15; Mtt. 10:26-33
Any adventure we emback on, without being aware of the cost, will end abruptly. Knowing the cost of any adventure or task before embacking on it helps us to prepare very well for such adventure or task and to be successful in such.
Today's Readings remind us what it costs to be a prophet. Everyone of us gathered here to worship is a prophet by being here. Prophet is one who declares the mighty works of God. We are here today not only to declare the mighty works of God but to also celebrate it. In our singing, dancing and reading of God's word, we proclaim and celebrate the mighty works of God. Dear people of God, needless to say that in Eucharist we proclaim and celebrate the wonderful deeds of God; it is a fact that is clear to all.
In the gospel, Jesus says to us, "What I tell you in the dark, utter in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim upon housetops". At the end of today's mass we will be sent forth to go and fulfill this injunction of our Lord and we shall be prophets to the world. We will go into the world with the message that as all men incurred sin and death in Adam, God has granted us victory over sin and death in Jesus Christ; we have received grace of God and free gift in the grace of that one man Jesus Christ. However, this message might look simple and easy, it makes the world mad and set them against us. This is because the world has gotten used to sin; it is not easy to leave one's comfort zone. The cost of leaving their comfort zone looks unbearable to them. Whoever tells them to turn to God becomes their enemies and they do everything under their power to make such a person fall or get rid of them.
The first reading picks up the story of prophet's ordeal. It tells us the cost of being a prophet by telling us the ordeals of prophet Jeremiah. Jeremiah says, "I hear many whispering. Terror is on every side! 'Denounce him! Let us denounce him!' says all my familiar friends, watching for my fall. 'Perhaps he will be deceived, then we can overcome him, and take our revenge on him'". Jesus Christ affirms that being a prophet goes with a cost when he says, "Have no fear of men. ..... And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. ..... Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows".
What has happened to some of us? Some of us are yet to imbibe this word of Jesus Christ: 'Fear not'. We are yet to go over the fear. We only proclaim Christ when it is favourable; when it conflicts with the way we run our business, practice our profession, habits, ways of life, and other things of such, we drop it for worldly glory. We stop proclaiming Christ when it poses danger or threat.
The loss of courage in proclaiming Christ is due to lack of awareness of God's presence with us. Jeremiah's courage comes from his awareness of God's presence with him, for he says, "But the Lord is with me as a dread warrior; therefore my persecutors will stumble, they will not overcome me". In the gospel, Jesus Christ says, "But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows". He has told us that he is with us till the end of time.
Dear friends, let us take the battle, then, headlong and we shall win with the strength of our God.

Lord Jesus Christ, give us the grace to be aware of your presence with us in our trials that we might not fail to proclaim your wonderful deeds. Amen.

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke