tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post6042768984258647589..comments2024-03-17T22:48:00.427+08:00Comments on Reflections and Ruminations: The challenge of being truly prophetic ChristiansFr Luke Fonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03079016104331055895noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-90330429591547791272012-07-18T00:39:10.911+08:002012-07-18T00:39:10.911+08:00I do agree with “but the call to live propheticall...I do agree with “but the call to live prophetically is the one which I reckon makes the most demands of anyone who is truly interested and longing to be a true disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ...’’ and I find it the most daunting! For I can’t imagine how I could be a prophet without losing my head ( metaphorically of course........in this day and age) –we cannot be called to be a modern day Jeremiah or John the Baptist – for these are ‘special breed’ - surely? ( or so I thought )<br /><br />Then on Sunday, the first reading says of Amos.... “I was a shepherd, and looked after sycamores........it was the Lord who took me from herding the flock, ...... Go prophesy to the people...’’ and our study of John’s Gospel with Fr Ambrose did say this of John the Baptist..... ‘’John performed no sign, but everything that John say about this man (Jesus) was true.........” <br /><br />On reflection, I was struck by the fact that these ‘’greats’’ were really ordinary men, they did not perform great miracles – but they became extra-ordinary- they were prophets, because – obedient to God’s will, they were willing witnesses of the Truth or the Light. For example- this was said of John, ‘’he came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light......’’ And Amos was just as resolute, refusing to be dismissed by Amaziah, priest of Bethel – until he had done the prophesying to the people of Israel- just as God had told him to.<br /><br />As Christians claiming to be disciples of Jesus, we must also be ready to do likewise..... ‘to bear witness to the Light..’’ – not in any big ostentatious way, but in our words and actions in our daily life ( in whatever station in life we are placed) to help point others to the Light. For the second Sunday reading seems to reiterate this commitment of ours to do so, giving the reason that – ‘’Now you too, in him, have heard the message of the truth and the good news of your salvation, and have believed it: and you too have been stamped with the seal of the Holy Spirit of the Promise,......’’<br /><br />God bless you, Fr<br />tessaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-84975087697281563522012-07-17T16:03:19.318+08:002012-07-17T16:03:19.318+08:00Dear Fr. Luke
Thank you for your kind reminder. I...Dear Fr. Luke<br /><br />Thank you for your kind reminder. Indeed, being God's chosen people (kingly) , is the most sacred role in the religious world, but often, the listeners may find their preaching apathetic. It has been preached that being holy does not mean that one just attend regular masses/prayers, but to have that deep love for God and the ability to love the people around them. Does that mean they are indeed nonchalent to the earthly ties or being cut-off? <br /><br />God bless you<br />ZAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com