There is this strange phenomenon, whereby those who are fond of taking liberties with liturgy, or dissenting from church doctrine and praxis, like to talk about being “Prophetic;” taking as a sign of confirmation that they are acting as the Prophets of the Old Testament, when they see a negative reaction.
Objectively, is this really the case, or is there an element of self-deception involved?
First, it will help to examine what “Prophecy” is, for to be “Prophetic,” one must utter a “Prophecy.” St. Peter gives us an excellent answer to this question:
And we have the more firm prophetical word: whereunto you do well to attend, as to a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn and the day star arise in your hearts. Understanding this first: That no prophecy of scripture is made by private interpretation. For prophecy came not by the will of man at any time: but the holy men of God spoke, inspired by the Holy Ghost. (2 Peter 1:19-21)
St. Paul tells us why Old Testament prophecy came to an end.
God, who, at sundry times and in divers manners, spoke in times past to the fathers by the prophets, last of all, In these days, hath spoken to us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the world. (Heb 1:1-2)
What Ss Peter and Paul say explains why the prophetic office today consists of proclaiming the Holy Scriptures; which is to proclaim God’s word unveiled. Those who proclaim His word do so by the Holy Spirit. Those who, in opposition to doctrine and practice, offer their own opinions to “discomfort the faithful,” are offering according to their own will, and delude themselves by the ego-gratification of usurping the mantle of prophet.
Quoting Anita, "to take as a sign of persecution the perceived frown of pope Benedict XVI, is not a sign of prophecy, but childish petulance."
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This Anita sounds brilliant. I bet she's also extremely talented and highly attractive. And humble.
ReplyDeleteAnd she would add this: that the "persecuted prophets" are not dressed in rags; they are not chased barefoot through icy streets by murderous mobs wielding torches and pitchforks; they do not appear to have missed any meals due to the hierarchy's relentless campaign of oppression and censorship. This has got to be the only country on earth where the "censored" and "persecuted" can earn a living, live comfortably, and, while they're at it, garner a captive audience and draw rounds of applause.
It's a simple test. A prophet in these days can't speak new revelation. That's a dogma of the faith. Chirst is the last Word. If what the "prophet" says contradicts the doctrine of the faith, then he or she is a false prophet.
ReplyDeleteDitto Anita here, too. It's amazing how disagreement has become akin to censorship. People not only want to prvilege of offending us; they want us to pay for them to do it.
Jay Leno here. Do you know what is really scary? Not only do they take on the mantle of prophecy, but they put it over their head, poke two holes in it, staring through the holes like owls in a tree at the congregation. What's so prophetic about that? Nothin'.
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