Prophets are troublemakers

PROPHETS ARE TROUBLEMAKERS

Lk 12:49–53

Jesus was the perfect God-man. Everything He did was good, holy, and true. You might assume, then, that no one could possibly take issue with Him. But the powers of evil—relentless, fierce, and unyielding—will always rise up against goodness. And so, they did not rest until they had eliminated Jesus from the earth. Hatred for Him grew so intense that it culminated in His crucifixion.

Jesus was a prophet—God’s final and perfect Prophet—and like all true prophets before Him, He was hounded throughout His ministry and finally killed for the truth He proclaimed. Those who live in darkness cannot bear the light. Those who practise evil are tormented by the truth, and so the prophet, who dares to speak it, must expect persecution.

If life was not easy for Jesus, His followers should not expect ease either. When we were baptised, we were anointed as priests, prophets, and kings. The words of the rite are clear: “As Christ was anointed Priest, Prophet, and King, so may you live always as a member of His body, sharing everlasting life.” Our prophetic calling obliges us to speak truth in a world that does not want to hear it.

In a world filled with moral confusion and spiritual apathy, we are faced with a choice: remain silent for the sake of a quiet life, or speak up for what is true and right. If we choose the latter, we may be labelled “troublemakers.” But Jesus reminds us:
“Happy are you when people abuse you and persecute you and speak all kinds of calumny against you on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven; this is how they persecuted the prophets before you.”

Let me mention just a few of the evils that cry out to be confronted. But let me begin with this: we are all sinners. It is easy to condemn others without recognising our own need for mercy. People are at different stages in their journey to God, and we must approach them with compassion.

That said, abortion remains one of the greatest evils of our time. It is often driven by selfishness—by the desire to enjoy pleasure without responsibility. The innocent unborn are sacrificed, and an entire industry has profited from their destruction. We must never tire of praying for women who have had abortions, asking God to heal their wounds and draw them to His mercy.

Contraception, too, is widely promoted—even to children—without moral or parental guidance. This encourages promiscuity, undermines chastity, and contributes to the breakdown of sexual morality. Our culture shuns the Commandments—especially the one that says, “Thou shalt not kill”—even as it markets death as liberation.

And what of pornography, so easily accessible online? It damages minds, ruins relationships, and exploits the weak. Why can it not be banned from the internet? Because it is lucrative. Like the arms industry, it thrives on human suffering.

Speaking of arms: war and violence rage across the world, not least because arms manufacture is a billion-dollar industry. Nations prioritise weapons over peace—profit over people.

And then there is the redefinition of marriage. I was saddened to see so many Catholic and Christian MPs vote in favour of same-sex marriage. The Church has always upheld the dignity of every person, but active homosexual behaviour is incompatible with the Gospel. As the story of Sodom reminds us, grave sin has grave consequences.

Satan must rejoice at all this: the culture of death, war, sexual confusion, and the rejection of God’s laws. Yet in all this darkness, the Lord continues to raise up prophets. May we who have been anointed as prophets in baptism stand firm, speak the truth, and fight evil with courage and love.

Lord Jesus, give us the courage to be faithful prophets in our time, to speak the truth in love, and to work for the coming of Your Kingdom.

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