Fr. Eduardo Emilio Aguero, SCJ
“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” — Hebrews 4:12
Introduction to the Prophets
I begin this series to help us deepen our understanding of the Word of God, the source of the life of the Church. To open our Bible, as Catholics, means to acknowledge that an oral tradition preceded the written word and that the same tradition —the teaching of the Apostles —is treasured by the Church. Although no word can be added to it, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the Church is challenged to deepen its understanding of the written word and to discover how it can be applied to different contexts and various historical settings.
I chose to begin with the prophetic tradition, as the prophetic books—comprising roughly one-fourth of the Old Testament—were regarded by the early apostolic church as the most significant. Their importance lies in the fact that they explicitly anticipate and prophesy the coming of Christ, the Messiah. Yet, despite their theological weight, these books remain among the most challenging to interpret.
Why are the prophets so difficult to understand? Their messages are often challenging because they were deeply embedded in the historical, social, and cultural realities of their time. Prophets spoke to specific audiences facing particular crises—political upheaval, moral decay, foreign threats, or religious corruption. To truly grasp the meaning of their words, we must first understand the context in which they were spoken: the events, beliefs, and societal dynamics that shaped their message.
Prophecy was not a phenomenon unique to Israel; it was widespread across the ancient Near East, appearing in cultures such as Mari, Babylon, Assyria, and Syria. However, prophecy in Israel developed distinctive characteristics that set it apart; In other nations, prophets typically served as advisers and supporters of the ruling elite, delivering brief messages from their gods to reinforce royal authority. In contrast, Israel’s prophets—often referred to as visionaries—played a more confrontational and independent role. They anointed kings, but also condemned, challenged, and even rejected them when they strayed from God’s will. Their oracles, preserved in both prose and poetry, formed the foundation of the prophetic literature. This culminated in the books of the “Latter Prophets,” which include the three major prophets—Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel—and the twelve minor prophets.
Another notable difference is that some prophets outside of Israel entered trances through ecstatic rituals—often involving dance, music, and even self-inflicted wounds—such as those confronted by the prophet Elijah in 1 Kings 18:28-29.
I invite our readers to treasure the Word of God and to meditate on it deeply. In each presentation, I will share a passage to contemplate and pray with. The following text expresses, in simple yet profound terms, the essence and mission of a prophet in Israel: “Now the word of the Lord came to me saying, “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” Then I said, “Ah, Lord God! I do not know how to speak, for I am only a boy.” But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a boy.” For you shall go to all to whom I send you, and you shall speak whatever I command you. “Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you,” says the Lord. Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “I have put my words in your mouth.” (Jeremiah 1:4–10).
A prophet is someone called by God to communicate His perspective on Israel’s condition and the state of the world. Set apart and sanctified, the prophet is invited into an intimate and direct relationship with God. God’s call often arrives with overwhelming force, stirring a deep sense of inadequacy within them—yet it is the Lord who strengthens and equips them to rise above their initial reluctance. Defined by a divine mission that transcends national boundaries, the prophet’s role carries a universal dimension—opening the history of salvation to all peoples. Driven by zeal, the prophet confronts trials and hostility, sharing in the “pathos of God”—feeling with God and suffering deeply over the people’s rejection of the One he loves and serves. Prophets arise from diverse backgrounds: a peasant and shepherd like Amos; priests like Jeremiah and Ezekiel; women like Huldah (2 Kings 22:14) and Isaiah’s wife (Isaiah 8:3); or even royal descendants, as in the case of Zephaniah. A prophet is not guided by personal insight but is permeated and purified by the Word of God. His lifestyle and symbolic actions become part of the message he is called to deliver.
Praying with the Word of God
Through baptism and confirmation, each of us shares in the prophetic dimension of Christ’s life and mission. You have been set apart by the Lord and sent into the world with a purpose. Take time to read Jeremiah’s calling prayerfully and meditate on God’s personal and unique invitation to you. Recall those sacred moments when you felt His sanctifying presence. How do you respond to God’s call? Do you, like many before you, feel inadequate or unworthy of such a calling? In what ways? Allow the Lord to affirm and strengthen you.
What specific mission is God inviting you to embrace in your life today?
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