Jeremiah devoured God's word (Jer 15:16). He accepted the prophetic calling and became "a man of strife and contention to all the land" (Jer 15:10). He "did not sit celebrating in the circle of merrymakers" but, under the weight of God's hand, sat alone (Jer 15:17).

Like Jeremiah, many reading this are called to be prophets or prophetesses. You will not only have to speak words which give you pain, but you will also have to live the prophetic message by changing drastically your lifestyle and refraining from things legitimate for others. Because of prophecy's importance and power, the devil makes this gift and its consequent lifestyle very unattractive. You will have to pay a high price and sell all that you have to buy the precious pearl of the prophetic ministry (Mt 13:46).

Under these circumstances, it's natural to make excuses and resist God's call. Instead, be like Jeremiah. When he was tempted to run from the prophetic call, he agonized: "I say to myself, I will not mention Him, I will speak in His name no more. But then it becomes like fire burning in my heart, imprisoned in my bones; I grow weary holding it in, I cannot endure it" (Jer 20:9). Then he spoke constantly God's prophetic, life-changing word.

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, February 26, 2006

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