prophets – Communio

Holy Prophet Micah

In the Liturgy of the Latin Church the the holy prophets are not recalled except that the Roman Martyrology remembers. The Eastern Churches have the prophets on their liturgical calendar and commemorated in the Liturgy. I find it important to remember in the sacred Liturgy the prophets because they are a distinct part of our biblical history and literature, our moral thinking and acting, our spiritual and liturgical lives. Today, is the memorial of the famous holy prophet, Micah (even if commemorated with our Eastern brethren).

Micah prophesied between 750 and 687 bc. He was a contemporary of Amos and Isaiah. Micah’s words were an indictment against the rich, the avaricious money lenders, swindling merchants, families divided by rivalry, and all petty tyrants and bureaucrats, whether dressed as judges or rulers, priests or prophets. They were the very antithesis of the divine ideal he preached, namely, “to deal justly, to love tenderly, and to walk humbly with God.”

Failure to do these things, Micah warned, will bring punishment. He specified the destruction of Samaria and the fall of Jerusalem, but he also held out a hope for the faithful remnant. He described the birth of a peaceful king who will pasture the flock of the Lord. Micah foretold that this event would take place in Bethlehem of Ephratah, which was known as “the least of the clans of Judah.” (NS)

St Amos

14 Bible Historiale, The Call of Amos Artwork: Amos as shepherd Artist: UNKNOWN; Illustrator of Petrus Comestor’s ‘Bible Historiale’, France, 1372 Date: 1372 Technique: Miniature Location: Museum Meermanno Westreenianum, The Hague Notes: From Petrus Comestor’s “Bible Historiale” (manuscript “Den Haag, MMW, 10 B 23”). According to Museum Meermanno’s database, the picture depicts Joel. We do not know about Joel’s earlier profession, and it seems more probable that the picture depicts Amos. Subject: The Call of Amos Hosts: Museum Meermanno and Koninklijke Bibliotheek, The Hague: Interactive Presentation of Handwritings [IMAGE]

The Novus Ordo Liturgy does not liturgically commemorate OT prophets but the older form of the Mass does, as well as the Byzantine Liturgy. The Roman Martyrology lists Amos as the first saint of the list for March 31: “At Thecua, in Palestine, the holy prophet Amos, whom the priest Amasias frequently scourged, and whose temples Ozias, that priest’s son, pierced with an iron spike. Being carried half dead to his native place, he expired there and was buried with his forefathers” (Roman Martyrology).

As you know, the Book of Amos is one of the twelve minor prophets. The name Amos means “Burden” in Hebrew. Amos’ biography says that he lived in the 700s B.C. during the reigns of King Uzziah of Judah and King Jeroboam II of Israel, that he was a contemporary of the holy prophet Jonah, and he exercised his prophetic ministry prior to God’s call of Isaiah.

The prophetic book reveals that Amos was a herdsman and dresser of sycamore trees. The Holy Prophet Amos calls for the restoration of Israel under the Messianic Dynasty of King David rejecting Israel’s grievous immorality and the warning of God’s wrath.

St Amos, pray for us as we make our way through Lent shedding sin and asking for God’s grace.

Saint Joshua

The Roman Martyrology offers us the commemoration of the holy Joshua (Jesus), son of Nun, servant of the Lord. It is he who, having had hands laid on him by Moses, became full of the spirit of wisdom. After the death of Moses, he led the people of Israel across the Jordan River, accompanied by many miracles, into the Promised Land.

Even though the Roman Martyrology has OT holy men and women noted for liturgical remembrance, the current liturgical calendar does not have them listed. Hence, I like to draw our attention to these types of commemorations.

Blessed feast!

Saint Nahum, prophet

Th Nahum e Catholic Church honors the Old Testament prophets on canon of saints, they’re listed in the Martyrologium Romanum. Today, the Church liturgical recalls Saint Nahum, the prophet:

Commemoratio sancti Nahum, prophetae, qui Deum praedicavit cursum temporum regentem et populos in iustitia iudicantem.

“The memorial of St. Nahum, the prophet, who preached that God was ruling the path of time and was judging the peoples in justice.”

Have you read from the book of Nahum? Do you know where it is in the Bible? It is between Micah and Habakkuk. He is one of the 12 minor prophets in sacred Scripture. The prophetic message uttered by Nahum differs from other prophets in that he does not issue a call to repentance, nor does he denounce Israel for infidelity to God. Some scholars take Nahum’s work as history.

Historically, there is not much documentation on the Prophet Nahum. His name means “God consoles.” We know that he was from the town Alqosh (what is likely now Galillee) living close to the end of the Assyrian reign. Nahum warns Ninevah of its destruction (612 BC).

Some members of the Church ask Saint Nahum to intercede on behalf of those with mental disorders. The Latin, Byzantine and Armenian Churches honor Nahum on different days.