ZEAL FOR WHAT IS RIGHT. In his book, Models of the Church, Avery Cardinal Dulles – an American theologian - outlines several models of the church to aid the understanding of the nature of the church. One of such model is: ‘Church as Herald.’ Avery Dulles tells us that the mission of the church is to proclaim that which it has heard, believed, and been commissioned to proclaim. This model looks at the church as a herald – one who receives an official message with the commission to pass it on. This model also conforms to some scriptural injunctions which challenges Christians to go into the world and proclaim the Good news (Matt. 28:18-20; Mk 16:15). As members of Christ’s mystical body, we are challenged to preach the word since by our baptism we share in the three offices of Jesus Christ namely: kingly, priestly and prophetic offices. However, the task of preaching the Word of God is not an easy one since oppositions and persecutions are inevitable. In the first reading, we are presented with the ordeal that Prophet Jeremiah went through because he condemned the ills that prevailed in Israel; an ordeal that the Lord had told him when he was called (Jer. 1); Jeremiah was thrown into a dry pit where there was no water so that he could die there. Thanks to Ebed-melech who pleaded with the king for Jeremiah’s release. Like Jeremiah, there were other true prophets who suffered same opposition on account of their mission. Elijah had to flee from Jezebel who wanted to kill him (I Kgs 19:1f). Amos was opposed by Amaziah the priest of Bethel: ‘Off with you, visionary, flee to the land of Judah! There earn your bread prophesying, but never again prophesy in Bethel; for it is the king’s sanctuary and a royal temple’ (Am 7:12-13). John the Baptist was beheaded by Herod (Mk 6:27). The Apostles of Jesus Christ were martyred in the course of their mission; it was only John the Beloved who died a natural death. Jesus Christ was crucified among two thieves in the course of his earthly ministry. In our contemporary era, we have true prophets who have either been assassinated or have escaped been assassinated because they condemned the unjust structures in their society. Archbishop Helder Camara of Brazil survived many assassination attempts and since the assassination attempts failed, he was banned from speaking in the public for 13 years and all media organizations were warned not to publish or mention his name in their bulletin. In El Salvador, Archbishop Oscar Romero was shot to death on March 24, 1980 as he was celebrating the Eucharist. This man was shot because he condemned the ills that were prevalent in his country. In our country Nigeria, some true prophets have either been assassinated or have escaped been assassinated because they condemned in unequivocal terms the ills in the. What lessons can we learn from the readings of today? The readings assure us that oppositions will be inevitable in our prophetic ministry and when we are faced with such oppositions, we should persevere like the athlete who is running a race (Heb. 12:1-4). Aside persevering in our prophetic role, we should persevere in that which is right. Also, the responsorial psalm encourages us to call on God to help us in difficult situations (Ps. 40).
Posted on: Sat, 17 Aug 2013 19:01:26 +0000
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