Imperfect Prophets

Caitlan Rangel reflects on a discussion of evangelization and shares ideas for how we can be (imperfect) prophets in our daily lives.

I hurried into our mood-lit parish one recent night, a few minutes late and eagerly anticipating a talk by Father Pierre Toussaint, CFR (Father PT). After a long day at our homeschool co-op and other daily duties, I longed for life-giving words from Father PT with his Franciscan spirit of pure, powerful, and humble love for Jesus.

Father PT said he wanted to speak about evangelization through the lens of being a prophet, which all baptized people are called to be. It’s a common teaching, but the way he went about it struck me and inspired me to move forward with courage in my life.

He said, “God does not wait to call a prophet until they are perfect. It is not about the perfection of the person, but about the One who calls.”

God calls us while we are still a work in progress. God works in and through us, even as we are imperfect, have our doubts, and don’t quite know the way forward.

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Prophets Who Resisted God's Call

Father PT then gave a litany of prophets who God called and who resisted God’s call. Jonah ran in the opposite direction God asked him to go. Jeremiah insisted he was too young to answer God’s call. Isaiah felt unworthy and said, “I am a man of unclean lips” (Isaiah 6:5). Amos pushed back against being called a prophet and said, “I am not a prophet, nor do I belong to a company of prophets. I am a herdsman and a dresser of sycamores, but the Lord took me from following the flock, and the Lord said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel’” (Amos 7:14-15).

Though these prophets questioned God’s call for them, they still ultimately answered “yes.” Though they had moments of doubt and turning away, they still opened themselves to what God desired to do in and through them. And thanks be to God because God brought words of hope, healing, and reconciliation through their assent.

The same is possible for us. We know our flaws and so does our God. He loves and calls us still because he made us and has created each of us with a purpose in mind.

How can we be prophets where God has placed us?

We can ask someone, “How can I pray for you or what do you need prayers for?” We can smile — at our families, co-workers, and strangers. We can pray, “Jesus, help me to be a better witness to you. Jesus, send someone into my path today who needs your love.”

As I prayed in front of the Blessed Sacrament after Father PT’s talk, I was filled with this confidence: “Lord, you will give me everything I need to do something good for you.”

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