Understanding History Through The Words Of The Prophets

1 Kings 11:29-32,12:19
Mark 7:31-37

Israel went into rebellion against David’s house to this day”, 1 king 12:19. With these final words of our first reading,
we see the end of the united kingdom made by David -Judah and Israel. Life will never be same again. The prophet Ahijah dramatically performs what will happen as he tears his new cloak into 12 pieces in the presence of Jeroboam.

Jeroboam will receive and rule the ten tribes of Israel and Rehoboam will serve as King of of the South, that is, Judah and Benjamin in Jerusalem, the city in which, out of all of the tribes of Israel, the Lord chose to be honored’ (1Kings 12:19) The worst was yet to happen.

The words and actions of a prophet announces God’s message and important events among God’s chosen people. Ahijah tore the cloak into twelve strips and gave 10 to Jeroboam and 2 to Rehoboam. Ahijah’s prophetic action symbolizes a pattern of relationship that will continue, a nation divided though from the same ancestry-for the new cloak materials were the same. Therefore, we can understand history through the words of the prophets.

Christ is the fulfillment of the law and the prophets and we can see Jesus’ miracles as God’s presence and power among his people. Mark’s story of Jesus healing the man who had impediment in speech immediately reminds us of the Sacrament of Baptism. Towards the end of the Baptismal rites, we hear the prayer fashioned in today’s gospel as the ears and mouth of the baptized are touched.

This prayer speaks of how God works among us: ‘may deaf ears be open to hear the voices of God in all the ways God will speak to you; may your eyes be open to see the wonders of God in the people and events that will fill you; and my your lips be open to laugh and to learn the languages of men and women, so you may give God praise’. In the Holy Spirit we go as prophets to do the work of Jesus.

As prophets, we announce what will happen in history, proclaiming the victory of the Christ on the Cross. We know our history is the victory of the Cross. We must therefore proclaim God’s wisdom despite its appearance in the eyes of the world as foolishness. We are prophets of hope not gloom, prophets of mercy, not vengeance, prophets who try to live in this moment of our fragile world the victory that will be seen as history for all of us in God’s own time.

Fr Joseph Osho