Monday of Week 18 Year 2

Being a prophet is not something which one takes upon himself or herself, and the message to be delivered is to be from God, regardless whether message is good or bad. Sometimes, we come across so-called prophets who curry-favour or win over people who crave for good news, with the intention of gaining popularity, wealth and fame. Such so-called prophets are what we call false prophets, misusing the word "prophet" for their own ends and purposes.

In today's reading, we come across an example of a false prophet named Hananiah. The reading warns us of the consequences of being a false prophet: "The prophet Jeremiah said to the prophet Hananiah, 'Listen carefully, Hananiah: the Lord has not sent you; and thanks to you this people are now relying on what is false. Hence – the Lord says this, "I am going to throw you off the face of the earth: you are going to die this year since you have preached apostasy from the Lord."' The prophet Hananiah died the same year, in the seventh month." As we can see, a false prophet is asking for trouble, since such persons are not only deceiving others, but they would also face the wrath of God.

Are any among us behaving like a false prophet? Let us take heed of the warning the reading gives us. Let us stop our false ways and the nonsense we have been saying and doing, repent and return to God's ways, before it is too late.