The movie Inn of the Sixth Happiness tells the true story of Gladys Aylward, a British maid who

dreamed of being a missionary in China. However, the China Mission Society in England told her that she had no particular skill to use there, and was not a candidate for their mission. Through other means, Gladys found an elderly British missionary, Jeanne Watson, who was willing to take her on. So in 1932 Gladys found herself in Yangcheng, China, working with Jeanne in an Inn and sharing the Good News of Jesus with mule drivers who were the communication link of that time. Over time she became a respected person in the town and surrounding countryside, taking Chinese citizenship and being affectionately called Jineye = the one who loves the people. In 1940, war broke out between China and Japan, and Jineye was responsible for taking over one hundred orphans on a sixteen-day trek through dangerous war torn regions to safety. When she and the orphans arrived at Fufeng on the Yellow River, the person in charge of the mission there was the same man, Dr. Robinson, who had rejected her in London, and told her that she had nothing to offer to their mission. I could not help but think of this true story when I read the gospel (Mark 6:1-6) of this weekend. Jesus, too, experienced rejection. The people of his hometown reacted the same way as Dr. Robinson rejected Gladys Aylward. We know you. You are nobody special. Who are you to do these things? Where did you learn these ideas? They did not have faith in Jesus. Jesus is identified in the gospel as a prophet, and that A prophet is not without honour except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house. A prophet is someone one speaks for God, speaks by divine revelation, and interprets the will of God. As God-made-man, he, above all prophets, fulfills that definition. He has come to reveal the fullness of truth, yet often his words were rejected. He proclaimed his relationship with the Father, and this seemed to have often created more distrust of his words and actions. Being a prophet, whether in first century Palestine, centuries before, or here and now, is not easy. A prophet is often seen as a troublemaker or a rabble-rouser, because their words and actions challenge the status quo. They shake our reality and speak to us of something new the reality that God wants to see in place. The prophet is a powerful instrument of God, but pays a great price. In the First Reading, we meet Ezekiel (2:2-5). As with most prophets, they did not want to accept this call from God, because they knew it meant difficulty for them hatred, rejection, and often death. From the very words of God to Ezekiel, we see that Ezekiel was facing an up-hill battle. God is telling him, as he calls him, that he is being sent to a rebellious house, people who have revolted against him. They are hard of face and obstinate of heart not exactly words to inspire confidence and attract Ezekiel. He is preparing Ezekiel for persecution, and rejection. Yet, Ezekiel accepted Gods call and went forward with the confidence that God was with him and that whatever this rebellious house was going to dish out, he would endure and fulfill his mission. St. Paul, in his Second Letter to the Corinthians (12:7-10), bears witness to his vocation as prophet. He recognizes his weakness. He turns to God for strength and

guidance and tells us power is made perfect in weakness. When we admit our weakness and vulnerability, we open ourselves to abundant graces from God. When we are self-sufficient and proud, we want to do things on our own. Indeed, in his own flesh Paul experienced the truth he proclaimed, for when I am weak, then I am strong. These are the words of a true prophet, recognizing that just as God calls, God blesses and sustains the prophet. But what does this have to do with us? We are also called like Ezekiel, like Paul, and like the Lord Jesus to be prophets in our time and place. The stakes are the same, and the realities are the same. Yet, God does call. In our Baptism, we were anointed priest, prophet and king. We share in the prophetic mission of Jesus Christ and his Church. We are called to speak for God. This can only happen to the extent to which we unite ourselves deeply to God. The second part of the definition of prophet speaks by divine revelation, and interprets the will of God.- makes us realize just what a daunting task it is. The fulfillment of this role of prophet does not come easily, but only in the freedom and the wisdom that God gives us so that our words truly reflect the will of God and divine revelation. This is a tremendous challenge for us, because we can too easily fall prey in our human condition to allow our own will, not Gods revelation, to guide our words and actions. To be a prophet means to be reliant on God and his grace. Reflecting on our call to be prophets brought me back to think about Gladys Aylward. If she had believed Dr. Robinson that she had nothing to give she would never have taken the chance to go to China on her own. She truly believed that God called her, and that he would guide and protect her, that God would provide! Sometimes we can talk ourselves out of responding to Gods call, especially if we listen to some of the voices around us those same voices that assaulted Jesus We know. Youre nobody special If we believe that God calls us as prophets since our Baptism then we too should believe that God will guide and protect us, that God will provide. In our weakness, as St. Paul testifies, Gods strength will reveal itself and we will do Gods will. We dont have to go to China to be Gods prophets. We can do it here and now, at home, work and school, by bringing others the truth and love of God. Let us not be discouraged by our weakness, our fears and doubts. Let us not allow the rejection of others to keep us from our mission as followers of Jesus, as children of the Father, and as people moved by the Spirit. Let us do great things for God!