by Rev. Herbert Nichols

Rivalry, not Jealousy, even among those closest to the Lord, is a theme that runs through all three readings. Joshua is jealous of those who are prophesying without what he perceives to be official approval. The disciples of Jesus are likewise jealous of those who are exorcising demons in his name without being officially his followers. Jesus response is simple: "Whoever is not against us is for us." That answer may be overly simplistic, but the point Jesus makes is one of focus on unity.

Most of us become pre-occupied with our own concerns and needs; it is human and our humanity is not to be denied; but when our vision becomes so narrowed that we make the world revolve around us and fail to see the injustices and perhaps, our own unconscious participation in fostering injustice and inequity; it is the role of the prophet to help us refocus on the larger picture.

Would that all the people of the world were prophets! Though prophets seem to have a knack for knowing the future, their main function is to comment on the present, that is why they so often get into trouble by trying to help people see things as God has revealed them. Their fundamental mission is to witness the truth which God has given them.

Traditionally, witnessing is an unfamiliar and frightening word to Catholics, We are all more or less familiar with Jehovah Witnesses or Mormons, or even cult members willing to risk every thing for the sake of what they perceive as truth. Why is it that we Catholics are so reluctant? Is it because we do not perceive what we profess as truth? That all we say and do here in this building has absolutely no relevance on the outside. If that were true, than we are indeed more foolish than our counterparts who believe in partial truths, but are committed with great dedication.

Would that the Lord might bestow his Spirit on us all! The gift of the Holy Spirit was given to all of us in Baptism, poured out on some of you in fullness in Confirmation, the Sacrament of Witnessing, what we used to call the Sacrament of Catholic Action.

It is the Holy Spirit who gathers together, who communicates life to the Church of God. Twenty one years ago today, a young, newly elected Pope John Paul II made his first pilgrimage to America. His first stop was Boston where he celebrated Mass on Boston Common for thousands in the pouring rain. His plane was hours late in arriving but no one left early.

World Youth Day has since been held in Denver, Paris, Rome, Toronto. It is totally nonsensical that young people, who generally see little value in anything, offered by someone 80 years old, would spend hundreds of hard earned dollars to sleep in a park and listen to an old man they can’t even understand. Even when he speaks your language, his Parkinson’s disease has made his speech almost incomprehensible.

But what happens when these millions of young people gather in the presence of this prophet? There is a tremendous energy that he draws from the crowd; seemingly becoming younger and healthier (ironically you could see on the faces of a couple older cardinals a look of discontent as if thinking; will this old man never die?).

Yes, he will die, when God is ready to call him. When he has completed his task, he will no doubt here the words: Well done good and faithful servant, Enter into the joy of your Father’s house.

The Pope is not the only one energized. It is reciprocal. He is like Moses filled with the Holy Spirit and pouring into the church through the hearts and souls of these young people, who come to witness and to share.

These youth, no different than yourselves, are the prophets of today, spirit-filled and spirit driven. They do not predict the future or remind us of the past but anchor us in God’s promise of our dignity of being a child of God. They speak both conservatively and progressively; not politically but communally.

This is also the vision of Bishop Sean in asking us to be revitalized as prophets in Renew 2000 by witnessing our faith to one another. The third of five sessions, beginning last year and ending next year, will commence next week. Witnessing is the specific theme of this fall’s sharing group. Don’t let fear keep you from growing in grace. Do not let fear intimidate you like Nicodemus who wanted answers for himself but held them in the dark.

Jesus says: "You must live in the world; but not of the world; you are mine. I have bought you and paid the price with the blood I shed for you on the cross."