Breaking down limits

Anger against prophets frequently evolves into persecution and violence, as we hear in Sunday's first and second readings.

At the start of Jeremiah's ministry, Yahweh warns the young prophet not to be intimidated by those to whom he prophesies (Jer 1: 4-5, 17-19). "They will fight against you," Yahweh promises, "but not prevail over you, for I am with you to deliver you."

Though, in chapters 11-20, we hear Jeremiah doubt Yahweh's protection, the prophet is always convinced he's doing what Yahweh called him to do. "Before I formed you in the womb," Yahweh proclaims, "I knew you. Before you were born, I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you."

Fury

Jesus obviously said something to provoke their hostility, something to do with limits. Responding to the crowd's amazement that Yahweh could work through a hometown boy, someone barely clinging to the lowest rung of the social ladder, Jesus mentions how Yahweh consistently works through unlikely people. He brings up the case of two famous non-Jews -- the widow of Zarephath and Naaman the Syrian, Gentiles whose lives Yahweh intersected in an exceptional way.

"Good" people don't like to be reminded that God can and does work through religious systems other than their own, even through individuals who are outside any religious system. Such prophetic reminders shake the false security religious organizations offer their members. Even back in the first reading, Jeremiah's call creates a problem for his fellow-Jews. Remember, Yahweh appoints him "a prophet to the nations (Gentiles)!"

We usually dislike those who demand we expand our faith instead of contract it and demand that we ground our security in our relationship with God, not in a system of dogmas. That's why Paul's well-known words about love take on a new meaning when we hear them within the prophetic context in which he originally wrote them (1 Cor 12: 31-13:13).

Love

"Love is patient... kind... not jealous...not pompous... not inflated...not rude. It does not seek its own interest...not quick tempered. It does not brood over injury... not rejoice over wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails."

It's no accident that Paul's next line (omitted from our liturgical passage) reads: "Pursue love, but strive eagerly for the spiritual gifts, above all that you may prophesy."

Perhaps the basic reason we hassle prophets revolves around their constant demand that we love both God and those around us. Only love breaks down our secure, self-serving limits.

(01-25-01)