The Hebrew Scriptures contain 45 books. They are traditionally divided into three parts, abbreviated in Hebrew as the TaNaka, the Torah, the Nabii, and the Hokma; or, in English, The Law, the Prophets and Wisdom. It’s the middle one I want to speak briefly about this morning: the Prophets.

In the first reading, the early Church in Antioch (which is in Syria) had “prophets and teachers.” Everyone knows what teachers are, but many misunderstand what prophets are. True enough, the common understanding of a prophet is someone who foretells the future. That is not correct in the Biblical sense of the word “nabii”. No one knows the future. People can make all the predictions they want, but it’s only a guess. God does not reveal to us how things are going to work out. To quote the Scottish poet Robert Brown, “The best laid plans of mice and men oft’ go astray.”

Prophecy literally means “one who speaks for another.” In the Bible, prophets speak for God about things in the present, not in the future. What they have to say is not always pleasant. Prophets are people who stand up to power. They are the only ones with courage enough; for example, to tell the King he is wrong. This is one reason, prophets often get killed. People in power do not appreciate being criticized.

In modern times, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King was often called a prophet. It’s because he told the people in power what they did not like to hear, namely that they were racists.

We all know what happened to Dr. King. But he was right; his cause was just; and it was in truth the will of God: all people are God’s children, equal in his sight.

Here at Bishop Kelly, we have a lot of teachers, and very few prophets. Students don’t have standing, teachers are under contract, and there are limits to what anyone can do, unless they have more than the average courage.

Prophets are critics, and they are usually unpleasant. But, as the Scriptures say, “pity the nation when the voice of prophecy is silent.”

It’s not enough to criticize – anybody can do that. One has to be right. There are false prophets.

Prophets often don’t use words. They use music or art or courageous acts to critique what needs to be critiqued.

My masters thesis was on prophecy. I’ve often noticed there is a contradiction in being a priest and being faithful to pointing out what is wrong. As a priest, I am both part of the establishment; while being called to speak to power. If I go too far, I’ll be really retired.

One thing that those in power often say to young people is that they are too young. The young love to criticize the powerful, but often for selfish reasons. But being young is not always being right.

It’s a fine line, but it’s also a calling. It’s a calling that few are given. But if the powerful are wrong, they need to hear it. Just be certain it’s God’s will not one’s own.

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