Guest Column / Richard Etienne

What special role have you been given as a result of your baptism?

When we are baptized, the priest or deacon proclaims that we have become “priest, prophet and king.”

What could this word “prophet” mean in a concrete way for you and me as we go about our lives each day, as St. Luke repeatedly says in his Gospel?

A select few will be called to preach in a foreign country like the prophet Jonah. It is a beautiful thing when that happens, but it requires taking on great risk and total commitment and, thus, may eliminate many of us from committing to this path.

Rather, I believe that most of us will be inspired to speak words to those individuals who are found much nearer to us that we will encounter in our more immediate circles of influence.

For example, are you ever struck with an urge to deliver a specific message—one that you feel has been placed on your heart by God or the Holy Spirit—to a family member, a good friend, a neighbor or a co-worker? Where did that urge originate?

Are you in the latter part of life? Did you have children who once attended Catholic schools? Are there people you used to see at school functions that are no longer attending church?

What if each of us who answered yes to these questions called just one person who came to mind and told them, “I miss seeing you at church.” Now wouldn’t that be something! Who doesn’t like to hear that they are missed?

In the Book of Numbers, we read, “Would that all the people of the Lord were prophets! Would that the Lord might bestow his spirit on them all!” (Nm 11:29)

Additionally in the Gospel of Mark, we hear Jesus say, “There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me. For whoever is not against us is for us” (Mk 9:39-40).

Lastly, in the Book of Joel, we read, “It shall come to pass I will pour out my spirit on all mankind. Your sons and daughters shall prophesy, you old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions” (Jl 3:1).

Take up your role as a prophet that was bestowed on you at baptism. Speak out when you know that the Spirit has moved you.
 

(Richard Etienne has a degree in theology from Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology in St. Meinrad and resides in Newburgh, Ind.) †