I chose
this day because it included a reading from one of the prophets, Habakuk. I have been thinking much about
“prophetic voices” lately, mainly because in much of the reading I’ve been
doing about current events in this country and the world, that term has been
popping up, mostly in connection with Pope Francis, but not exclusively. I have been trying to see a connection
between this reading and what’s happening in the world, and while it might be a
stretch, I still think it worthy of exploration.
What is
it that the prophets do the most? Foretell
the future, which is what prophecy means? That might be part of it, but
ultimately, I have decided that those with this gift have a two-fold
purpose. They hold up a mirror to us to show all the ugliness that we
commit or allow—the idolization of wealth and power; the marginalization of
different groups; the chasing of those distractions which keep us from trying
to put right these things. What follows is ultimately disastrous, and it
isn’t God who brings the disaster upon us; it is the natural result of our
actions. This is an image that many of us run from, and if this were all
they had to show us, that would certainly be understandable. But they don’t stop there. These
prophets show us also our potential for beauty, the beauty of action and
compassion, of wholeness and holiness. These
are attainable objectives; we need not wait for some perfect future. We
have examples all around us and we can take up this endeavor at any
time. Only we hold ourselves back.
The
other thing I note about these prophets is that what they have to tell us is
essentially the same thing, over and over again. It’s not a difficult message, but we
keep having to hear it because we forget it so easily. I suppose each generation has to learn
this for themselves, but it seems awfully hard that we can’t keep it written in
our hearts. Let us strive
this Lenten season to keep our ears and hearts open for the sound of these
voices.
— Michelle Allen
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