Prophets

   What do you think of when you think of a prophet?  Many would say that it is someone who predicts the future.  In some cases prophets tell others of future events but not in the sense of fortune tellers or seers.  When they tell of what is to come it is because God has given them the message to share.  This is what a prophet does; they share the word of God.  They do not do these things on their own but by their faith and God's direction.

   Three young children experienced visions of the Blessed Mother at Fatima.  They shared the word of God that Mary had given them.  They told others of their visions and of what Mary had told them.  Most did not believe them but their prophecies were fulfilled in full view of over seventy thousand people.  Even communists and atheists saw and believed.

   A young girl named Bernadette was visited by Mary and discovered a grotto at Lourdes France.  Thousands of cures are attributed to the waters of that grotto as promised.  Medical experts have examined many of those healed and confirmed that there was no medical explanation for their healing.  Bernadette received God’s word from Mary and established an on-going site of miraculous cures.

   John the Baptist prophesied that Jesus was near.  He recognized Him when He approached and told the crowds that this was the Messiah, come to baptize them in the spirit.  He shared the message God had given him.

   As Christians we are also called to be prophets even though most of us will never experience such incredible events as these.  Still, we are to share God’s word with others.  In the way we talk, the way we act and the way we live our lives we are to give testimony to God and share His message.  Through our baptism and faith God has called us to be prophets of the Lord.