Saturday August 3, 2024

Jeremiah gave this answer to the princes and all the people: “It was the LORD who sent me to prophesy against you. So reform your ways and your deeds! Listen to the voice of the LORD your God.” (Jeremiah 26:12-13)

Good News Reflection for:

Saturday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time
August 3, 2024

Today’s Readings:

Jeremiah 26:11-16, 24
Psalm 69:15-16, 30-31, 33-34
Matthew 14:1-12
bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/080324.cfm
USCCB Podcast of the Readings:
bible.usccb.org/podcasts/audio/daily-mass-reading-podcast-august-3-2024

How to be God’s prophet

I’m continually pondering how we (me, you, and other friends of Good News Ministries) can best make a difference for the kingdom of God in today’s dark world, which seems to be getting darker every day.

Lately, I’ve seen definite signs that the light of Christ has begun reversing evil. Praise the Lord! Many Spirit-filled Christian prophets have been prophesying this for a couple of years now, and we want it to happen quickly. However, God is not flipping a light switch. He’s setting a fire that starts as sparks here and there and then spreads and grows.

It’s growing! That’s the prophetic word that I feel in my heart, which I want to share it with you today.

Like Jeremiah and John the Baptist in this Saturday’s readings for Catholic Mass, we are all called to be prophets. It’s a character trait in all of God’s children. During our baptisms we were marked with oil as a sign of being consecrated to God the Father, anointed by the Holy Spirit, to join Jesus in his threefold mission as prophet, priest, and king.

As a prophet, you are a messenger sent by God. As a prophet, you speak on God’s behalf, encouraging others in their faith journeys. Sometimes the message is about the future.

Think about this. How well is your prophetic character trait showing? What holds you back?

Mystical experiences are not limited by God; they are limited by us and the insufficient faith formation we’ve had. The vocation of prophet is not limited to a few super-saints and mystics; you and I have the same calling as they’ve had.

Here are 7 steps to becoming the prophet you are called to be:

1. Say “yes” to this calling.

2. Acknowledge the reasons you hold back and turn them over to the Lord, including in the Sacrament of Confession.

3. Ask the Holy Spirit daily to renew you and fill you to overflowing. A personal relationship with the Holy Spirit is a must.

4. Fill yourself with good faith formation. Learn something every day. Spend less time on secular entertainment. Take advantage of the many resources you find on our Good News Ministries websites and your other favorite Catholic websites.

5. Pay attention to the Holy Spirit stirring up a message within you. When do you feel disturbed by something going on in the world or in the Church? That disturbance is the Holy Spirit giving you a message to speak.

6. Find outlets for the message. Jesus will point them out to you. Don’t force yourself upon anyone. Just look for an open door that God is providing. If you can’t see it yet, write the message in a journal for safekeeping. And hey, it’s a good idea to save it in a journal anyway. (My personal method is to put it into an email that I send to myself and save in a special folder.)

7. Spend time praising and worshiping God with words of joy, thanking him for fertilizing and growing the seeds you planted for him.

And if you haven’t read it yet, see “Be not afraid” to speak the truth @ wordbytes.org/holyspirit/be-not-afraid-to-speak-the-truth.

Often, before we speak up as God’s prophet, we first need to pray for victory. Take a look at the prayer resources we have at gnm.org/prayers/#victory.

© 2024 by Terry A. Modica

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