Jesus and I find ourselves in a similar situation today. Jesus came home to Nazareth to preach for the first time since beginning his ministry. Interestingly, it seems the best response His preaching received from His former neighbors included statements similar to "Isn't he just the son of the carpenter?" If you read Luke's version of this event, it appears the preaching of Jesus in Nazareth ends with his former neighbors trying to throw Him off a cliff. And here we are, I find myself back in Jasper County to preach for the first time since being ordained into the Permanent Diaconate. I'm very grateful that my audience, if you will, is more hospitable and more open to the Word than it seems the Nazarenes were. But, I think I'll stay away from the river bluffs after Mass, to play it safe.
In the first reading, the Lord says to Ezekiel, “Hard of face and obstinate of heart are they to whom I am sending you.” That statement, begs a question, do you consider yourself a prophet? It is a serious question, especially in our post-modern world that is full of hard-faced people and full of people with obstinate hearts. A world where the light of authentic Catholic faith given to us by Jesus and the Apostles seems to continue to dim by the day. Let's face it, just like the days of Ezekiel, we're desperately in need of true prophets.
I had the honor of baptizing my two grandchildren last week. Directly after the actual baptism, the rite calls for the newly baptized to be anointed with the Holy Chrism. This is an anointing into the full ministry of Christ as Priest, Prophet, and King. The key element of that anointing as it relates to our readings today is, of course, the ministry of Prophet. That means, by virtue of your Baptism (and later completed with your Confirmation) you have been given the charism of prophecy. Of course it is up to us to exercise that charism through, with and in the Eucharist, to allow it to truly take root deep within us, and to grow for the glory of God! But it is true, Baptism and Confirmation makes you a prophet.
Being a true prophet doesn't mean you need to be able to quote the entire Bible. Nor does it mean you will provide some new and exciting revelation. In fact, most people I know that can quote the entire Bible can usually only preach their own personal interpretation of what they have read as opposed to proclaiming what Christ and the Apostles actually taught. And those that claim to have a new and exciting revelation are almost certainly false prophets.
Consider this: how many people out there call on the name of Jesus to heal our land, but at the same time reject Him in the Eucharist and reject His Holy Catholic Church? I see it every day. Can we really expect Jesus to heal this land if on the other hand we reject His very presence in the Eucharist? Can we really expect Jesus to heal this land if on the other hand we reject the Sacraments that He instituted for our salvation? Brothers and sisters, we need prophets!
We need prophets that have a truly intimate relationship with Jesus in the Eucharist and can convey that sacred love to others. We need prophets that can, as it says in the Catechism, “call the whole of humanity together into the true Church of Jesus Christ which is the place where humanity must rediscover its unity and salvation.”
Pope Francis said a prophet is simply someone who “shows Jesus to others, who witnesses Jesus, who helps Jesus live today and build tomorrow according to His design.” It is that simple, being a prophet is speaking the name of Jesus to others and sharing how He and His Holy Catholic Church have touched your life.
If you have had a powerful encounter with the Lord through the Eucharist, then you know exactly what I am talking about. An encounter that has simply left you awestruck at His presence before you under the veil of what only appears to be simple bread and wine. The reality is that prophets draw strength from these types Eucharistic encounters with our Lord, similar to the disciples on the road to Emmaus that came to recognize the Lord through the Breaking of the Bread. Will you recognize the Lord when Father Breaks the Bread in a few minutes?
I ask, because just like the experience of the disciples on the road to Emmaus, every single Mass is an opportunity to have this type of Eucharistic encounter. Every single Mass is an opportunity to join our offerings to those of Jesus on Calvary. Every single Mass is an opportunity to offer our desire to be in deeper intimacy with the Lord and to be strengthened in the identity of prophet that we have received by virtue of our Baptism and Confirmation.
If you haven't had an encounter of this nature, especially if you do not recognize the Eucharist as the actual Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ, then I implore you to do yourself a favor. Take this unique opportunity that we have before us to throw yourself into the Eucharistic Revival that is currently going on.
There are several online resources that I am happy to share. In addition to that, as you have probably heard several times by now, the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage will be passing through Effingham and Teutopolis on the 11th and 12th, followed by the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis during the week of the 17th.
Regardless of how you engage in this important revival, allow yourself to rediscover and fall more deeply in love with the true source and summit of the Christian faith, the true source of strength for both prophets and martyrs, the true bridegroom that desperately wants to heal our land if only we would truly believe in His word that we must “eat the Flesh of the Son of Man and drink His Blood” and therefore fully live the Sacramental life of His Holy Catholic Church.
As I wrap up, I realize some of you doubt my words and you will continue to see the Eucharist as a mere symbol. Those of you who knew me when young, when I was just....well, I can hear the Nazarenes now: "Isn't he just the son of the hog farmer?"...did you ever think I would come back one day to do what I am doing here today? That is the power of the Eucharist. That is the power of the Eucharist that is truly the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ, as Saint John described in his Gospel. That is the power of the Eucharist, that is truly the new and everlasting covenant, as Saint Paul described in his epistle to the Corinthians. That is the power of the Eucharist, that is truly the source and summit of our Christian faith.
Jesus changed my life, drastically, dramatically, and dare I say miraculously, through His presence in the Eucharist. The Eucharist will change your life, if you truly believe that Eucharist really is Jesus Christ. The Eucharist will heal this land, if we bring non-Catholics back to the true Gospel, the true good news which can only be the Eucharist...the Flesh and Blood of Jesus Christ Himself.
Brother and sisters, allow the Eucharistic Revival to rekindle the awe of the Sacramental Life of the Catholic Church. Put your complete trust in the promises Christ has made through His Catholic Church. The more you can do this, the more you will become what you receive at Mass. Then, you can be a true missionary disciple. Then, you can be a true prophet of love and reconciliation to the world. Then, you can lead the lost sheep home, to the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus Christ. Thanks be to God.
