During the days of Ordinary Time we are introduced, at a measured pace, to Jesus, the Son of God, who had come to do the will of the Father. While most people beginning a new work are warned to move ahead slowly at the outset. In today's gospel reading we are presented with Jesus on his first day of public ministry. He was not playing the quiet beginner, new on the job.From the very beginning Jesus spoke out. The people were "astonished at his teaching." Beyond strong words he cast an unclean spirit out of a man in front of the people. Interestingly, it is the demon who introduces Jesus to his audience: "What have you to do with us Jesus of Nazareth? ... I know who you are, the Holy One of God." That said, Jesus tells the demon what to do. The demon then precisely follows his instructions. It is not a surprise then to read the comment of the Mark the Evangelist written at the end of this particular account: "His fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee."
Jesus knew his mission was to proclaim the kingdom of God. His was the role of prophet -- one who spoke not his own words but rather the words of God, his Father, wanted put before the people. Prophets were not fortune tellers. The future was not their business although much of what they said has become a message for all ages. What the prophet taught was always a challenge to the status quo. Their message more often than not earned serious criticism at the very least.
The life of a prophet is never easy. To speak in God's name is not easy. The prophetic role demands much more than speaking out. A prophet has to be a person who first has given much time to listening to God. It is from time with God in prayer that a prophet cuts teeth! Time with the Father enables a prophet to confront what it is that separates us from God's love and his mercy. Also, prophets are a part of the community in which they live even though their messages make them stand out from the community. So today we are offered an early insight into the public ministry of a member of the Nazareth community. We are presented with a clear picture of what the Jesus ministry would be.
For us who gather on Sundays in God's house the various scenes from the life of Jesus offered to us during the days of Ordinary Time serve us as excellent instructions for the work we are called to do as faithful Christians. We hear a story each Sunday and then are given the extraordinary nourishment of the Eucharist to strengthen and enable us to live up to the values we hold. Yes, by virtue of our baptism each of us is called to be a prophet.
