Vacare Deo
September 2018, week 1 The quote above was obtained from the Catholic Catechism number 785, which
Being a Prophet in Modern Times
There was once a small child, sitting in church with his
parents, waiting for mass to start. During the first
reading, a young couple entered the church and sat in
the pew in front of the child. Suddenly the child said,
“Daddy, why is that person wearing flip flops to church?
I wanted to use flip flops this morning, but mommy
scolded me, she said we are going to Church to see Jesus,
so we have to look smart and wear shoes.” The child
asked this innocently and loudly. The man looked back,
glanced at the child, and turned back, pretending not to
hear anything and continued participating in the mass.
The father wiped his clammy forehead, then placed his finger on his lips and said to the
child, “Shush, don’t speak during mass”.
The mass then continued smoothly without further comments from the child. When the
time came for consecration, during the solemn time where the whole congregation is
focused on the Host and Cup raised by the priest, suddenly the child loudly asked “Mommy,
look! The aunty in front is on her mobile phone! Daddy said during consecration, we need
to face and look at the Altar, but the aunty is checking her WhatsApp mom!” The mom’s
face reddened and became clammy, bowing her head deeply, she covered her beloved
child’s mouth.
The calling of a prophet
“’The holy People of God shares also in Christ's prophetic office," above all in the
supernatural sense of faith that belongs to the whole People, lay and clergy, when it
"unfailingly adheres to this faith (LG 12) once for all delivered to the saints,’210 and when
it deepens its understanding and becomes Christ's witness in the midst of this world.”
1
The calling of the People of God as priestly, prophetic and royal people can be seen in
the Catholic Catechism Number 783-785
explained the calling of the People of God to take on the role and work of a prophet. 1
We all receive this calling at baptism, when we decided to leave behind our “old self” and
with the grace of God become a “new self”. At this point, our old self is not allowed to
control us any longer. Paul, the apostle, explained this explicitly in his letter to the
Ephesians (Eph 4:17 – 32)
A prophet is someone who proclaims God’s will. A prophet is someone who lives in God’s
path, someone upholds God’s ultimate truths.
Modern day prophet
Being a disciple of Christ is a holy calling and demand real actions based on faith. In
responding to the call and mission to spread the good news and joy, we often face various
obstacles that seems insurmountable.
At work, we often find ourselves in a corrupt environment, full of deceit and egoism. In
our social life, there is a massive shift in social values, traditions and ethics. In our
household, faithfulness, togetherness and warmth are rarely found.
In professing truth, we are often faced with unpleasant consequences. People may look
at us in disbelief, and will judge or make fun of us.
How should we act? What is the allowed tolerance level? If by eliminating several laws
that are outdated can help win more people over to Christ, isn’t that a good thing?
Truth that will never change
As a Catholic, we firmly uphold the Bible, holy traditions and the Magisterium of the
Catholic Church as truths that lights our path in life. Christ came into the world, discarding
his Godliness to become man so that we may know real truth, living truth that will lead
us to everlasting life. Once truth has been compromised, it is no longer truth. When truth
is no longer a priority, tyranny will spread. When we start to abandon truth, the doors of
heaven will be further and further away from us.
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If 2000 years ago, healing was done through the prayers of the faithful, the same still holds
today. If bread and wine became the body and blood of Christ on the Altar 2000 years ago,
it is still the same today. Therefore, if committing adultery was a sin 2000 years ago, it can’t
be tolerated or allowed today. The same goes for corruption, lying, unforgiveness and every
other sin.
in our prophetic mission. May your presence in other people’s lives shine bright like a
lighthouse that stands firm in the middle of the storm, so that our life truly brings praise
for the glory of God’s name forever.
KTM Life Guide No. 34

A prophet that proclaims otherwise is not a prophet, but a fake prophet. A fake prophet If possible, set aside a room for prayer for you and your family. If it is not possible,
prioritizes his own interests, twisting truths and bring the people of God further from the make a place of prayer in the corner of your bedroom. This will help you pray.
gates of heaven.

The calling and choices as a prophet

Sharing
1. Tell the group about your experience in proclaiming truth. What was the
Becoming a prophet is a calling, not just for priests, nuns, brothers, church activists or the
elderly. The calling has been pinned to everyone who has been baptized into the church biggest obstacle you’ve had to overcome? How did you overcome it?
and became God’s children. 2. In your opinion, how can you be a prophet of the Holy Trinity Community
where you are? Share it and start putting it into action.
We should reflect on our choices. Will we refuse this calling and turn away from this noble
mission because we are afraid of the consequences? The prophet Jonas reminds us to be
faithful and trust in the mission God has set for us in this life. The prophet Moses reminds
us to always obey the Lord so that our faith will never be shaken. The prophet Eli reminds
us that God’s power supersedes all others.

This is the choice we must make. A prophet can choose to not convey God’s message and
truth. However, in doing so he is neglecting the mission entrusted to him. A prophet can
choose to twist the truth or message that he was charged to deliver. However, in doing so,
he becomes a fake prophet. Be wary of tying a boulder to our own neck.

When we find ourselves falling, weak, afraid and beaten, we should rely on God’s mercy
and strength. Pray for God’s mercy and ask to be given strength so that the next time we
are faced with a choice, we can choose the right choice. This is hope.

If we find ourselves faltering due to the magnitude of the consequences of our prophetic
acts, surrender yourself to God who has given us this mission. His grace will provide you
with a way out. This is faith.

And above all, do not do all this to boost your own image, or to prevent being ridiculed, but
because we long to proclaim the truth, so that His will may be done. This is love.

As a member of the Holy Trinity Community, we should be thankful of our motto. Vivit
Dominus In Cuius Conspectu Sto (The Lord lives and I stand in His presence). Practice this
moto in our daily lives. Call on Jesus’ name every time we are faced with a difficult choice

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