We have been in a series of weeks where there has been a call to proclaim the Gospel of repentance.  This week the theme continues but with another approach.  Now we are called to live the prophetic call received at baptism to share the prophetic message of salvation. In short we are called to be prophets…but the right type of prophet. Two things are asked of a true prophet: consistency and authenticity.  Consistency means not changing over the course of time, but remaining faithful to our principles, in this case the message.
    The first reading is clear: a prophet must only proclaim what the prophet has received from God. The prophet is not to add or  subtract from the message of salvation. If the prophet says something not consistent with what God has revealed, that person is nothing more than a charlatan. And it can be expected as in the first reading for that person to surely die in despair and in shame.    Consistency means not changing the tune of the message or of life.
     The second reading shows St. Paul was not a married man and certainly did not see the need of marriage.  If it was up to him, all should remain single so as to dedicate all their time to God. This passage is really about a worry that St. Paul had about focusing on the affairs of this world and losing sight of what is important. A prophet can lose his way and no longer be consistent with the
message because of the worries of this world.  Speaking of
consistency, St. Paul may have been fearful that a married person could end up with the family unable to govern. It has happened so many times, church people who have children who cause problems, and many from outside, may well say "Well they cannot even govern their own children and here trying to be prophets."  No
wonder the church has celibacy so the priest can preach the
prophetic message uncompromised.  So consistency means words need to correspond with actions. 
     The other necessary quality of a prophet is authenticity which is close to consistency. But authenticity is preaching with conviction because the message is really believed.  The prophet is willing to give life for the message. A true prophet is not a hypocrite who just wants to show off, attracting attention.  A true prophet who is authentic is one who is not rigid or just follows rules forgetting the importance of the human person.   Overall authenticity means sincerity of heart…no guile.  A person who has fallen in love with God will genuinely preach the love of God to others in a natural way, not in a feigned voice but true emotions.  God continues to call prophets to share his message of salvation. May all live their baptismal call and be consistent and authentic prophets.