Playing the Prophet

In today's Gospel, of all people, the religious authorities are trying to convince Jesus to take to the hills in order to protect himself from King Herod, a petty tyrant who is colluding with the Roman occupation. Jesus doesn't mince words, calling Herod a fox, and then going on to reflect out loud about the risks he faces as he takes up the role of the prophet calling for conversion.

A few thoughts... when we describe Jesus as a prophet, it is not to say so much that he his prognosticating about the future, but rather, that he is speaking in God's name about the need for people to turn away from the way of the world and back to faithfulness to God's ways. This means more specifically that he is calling them to liberation from an enslaved pursuit of riches, honors, and pride, back into a wholesome love of God, self, and neighbor. In that call, he is taking up the prophetic mantle as so many before him had, speaking up on behalf of the widow, the orphan, the marginalized...

And so, the question comes around to each of us as to how circumstances in our lives call us to play the prophet as well?


Gospel
Lk 13:31-35

Some Pharisees came to Jesus and said,
“Go away, leave this area because Herod wants to kill you.”
He replied, “Go and tell that fox,
‘Behold, I cast out demons and I perform healings today and tomorrow,
and on the third day I accomplish my purpose.
Yet I must continue on my way today, tomorrow, and the following day,
for it is impossible that a prophet should die
outside of Jerusalem.’

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem,
you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you,
how many times I yearned to gather your children together
as a hen gathers her brood under her wings,
but you were unwilling!
Behold, your house will be abandoned.
But I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say,
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.”