Prophetic

Today’s Gospel Text:  And he began to say to them, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." 22 And all spoke well of him, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth; and they said, "Is not this Joseph's son?" 23 And he said to them, "Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, 'Physician, heal yourself; what we have heard you did at Caper'na-um, do here also in your own country.'" 24 And he said, "Truly, I say to you, no prophet is acceptable in his own country. 25 But in truth, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Eli'jah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when there came a great famine over all the land; 26 and Eli'jah was sent to none of them but only to Zar'ephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. 27 And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Eli'sha; and none of them was cleansed, but only Na'aman the Syrian." 28 When they heard this, all in the synagogue were filled with wrath. 29 And they rose up and put him out of the city, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their city was built, that they might throw him down headlong. 30 But passing through the midst of them he went away. Luke 4:21-30

Reflection: Astrology and knowing the future is a great temptation, even for the many that have plenty of wealth and power, in their fear, anxieties and insecurities of life, they still search for an answer concerning their future.

Whereas God's word rebukes such an action: “Let them stand forth and save you, those who divide the heavens, who gaze at the stars, who at the new moons predict what shall befall you.  Behold, they are like stubble, the fire consumes them.”  Isa 47:13-14

Yet there are some who still love to hear a prophetic word about themselves and there are many who randomly open the word of God for a random answer to their problems. As long as they are within the acceptable norm, it is fine. 

But rarely do we realize that scripture overall by itself can be a prophetic word not just a particular book or a particular word but in the totality of the message that it carries and speaks.

It reveals to us our particular situation even before we have known it and even reveals to us our future, whether it be the immediate or the later or our eternity.

Such is the nature of God’s word and this in a way fulfills the instinctual need of every man whose very nature seeks the familiar, even in the unfamiliar aspects of life. 

In other words, it seeks the comforts of familiarity or what is known and would not easily venture into the unknown and unknowing.  

The greatest consolation of Scripture begins with its prophetic action which first reveals to us our existential nature, which is sinful and in enmity with God.

We would never have known this truth about ourselves without Scripture, likewise, we would never have known about God who is the reason for our existence and the ultimate destination in whom alone we can find our fulfillment.

This human fulfillment is made possible by the revealing of Christ Jesus, as our savior, who through his death and resurrection has made all things possible.

Prayer: Lord, help me to seek your wisdom through your prophetic word and thus find true happiness and fulfillment.

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