Pope says without prophecy Church ends up in clericalism
December 16, 2013 - When there is lack of prophecy in the Church, the very life of
God is lacking in the People of God, giving way to clericalism. Pope Francis made
the remark in his homily at Mass, Monday morning, in the chapel of the Casa Santa
Marta residence in the Vatican. Commenting on the Mass readings, the Pope said the
prophet is one who listens to the words of God, reads the spirit of the times and
knows how to move forward towards the future. True prophets, the Pope said, hold within
themselves three different moments: past, present, and future. They keep the promise
of God alive, they see the suffering of their people, and they bring us the strength
to look ahead. The Holy Father explained that God takes care of his people by giving
them prophets in the hardest times, in the midst of their worst suffering. But when
there is no spirit of prophecy amongst the people of God, we fall into the trap of
clericalism. When in the people of God there is no prophecy, the void is filled up
with clericalism: and it is this clericalism that challenges Jesus in Mathews’ Gospel:
“By what authority are you doing these things? By which law?” And when clericalism
has absolute rule, Pope Francis said, the words of God are sorely missed, and true
believers weep because they cannot find the Lord. Hence all memory of the past and
hope for the future are reduced only to the present: no past promise, no hopeful future.
The present become the law. In preparation of Christmas, Pope Francis reminded believers
that all those who are baptized are prophets. “Let us not forget God’s promise. Let
us not tire of moving forward,” he urged.