News; Good or Bad is always with us; We must rely on God in both of these

News; Good or Bad is always with us:  We must rely on God in both of these!

In the Old Testament we know God always called on the prophets to relay his message to the Israelis.  “Indeed, the Lord God does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants, the prophets.”  (Am 3: 7).  This has been his pattern from the beginning.  

What about today, in the 21st century?  Watch the TV and view modern prophets speaking daily through the media of technology.  Sit in the pews at Holy Mass and listen earnestly to the deacon or priest giving us an exhortation regarding the Gospel and applying it to our current events that are confronting the morality of the moment.

To be a prophet of God is to relate the Lord’s will to his people whether in the days before Christ or in the modern era that we all live in now.  No modern prophet is able to preach a new revelation since Christ was the last revelation to be prophesied.  The final excerpts of Christ may be found in the Book of Revelation.  Herein is the final plan for the mission of Christ that is laid out beginning with the past events that have led all of us to the culmination of our Salvation.

Perhaps we need to read the opening verses in Revelation and see how the plan of God unfolds before our eyes.   Opening a novel that can be intriguing should tempt our curiosity to read further and find the intuition of the author as his genius provides everyone with a kaleidoscope of mysteries beyond our imagination.  

A prologue to this book:  “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave to him, to show his servants what must happen soon.  He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who gives witness to the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ by reporting what he saw.  Blessed is the one who reads aloud and blessed are those who listen to this prophetic message and heed what is written in it, for the appointed time is near.”  (Rv 1: 1 - 3).

All around us the sounds of tyranny are ringing clearly within our shaken world of turmoil and nations ready to attack one another.  Where are the prophets who see this and speak out against the crime of insignificance towards the common people?  It is here, through printed words, spoken words from pulpits, and the promotion of voting for leaders who are willing to stand up for their constituents.  

The seven Letters to the Churches of Asia begins the pattern in which all must see their weaknesses and the promise that if they take heed God will also bring salvation to them.  It is an admonishment in spite of their tendency to try to be righteous without securing their known position  will fail completely without the presence of the Holy Spirit.  

These warnings are on our doorsteps at the present time and without a sound teaching from the modern prophets (writers, preachers, and patriotic citizens) we too will stumble into oblivion with no leverage to find the Holy Spirit in our corner.  Give up on God, and he will not give uo on us.  

And the Lord, he is the one who goes before you.  He will be with you, he will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.  (Dt 31: 8).  

Ralph B. Hathaway