We need more convincing people

What the (political) world needs now is more convincing people, people who are able to persuade the crowd with their words and actions. Not only do we want eloquent people, but we also want people of action. In ancient times, these were saints. In Biblical times, these were prophets.
We finished the 21-hour Patrology seminar today. We have learned a lot. Fr. Victor Aguilar from Macau, helped us build a link between our religious practices today with what is described in the New Testament. The Age of Church Fathers is the missing link. These Church Fathers responded to the crises of the day and left us with their teachings, church organization and liturgy etc. In time of crises, God would raise, for the Church, many outstanding saints. A greater enthusiasm for monasticism would also appear. Many people would seek deeper union with God through a solitary life or a cenobitic one.

Not everybody is called to be prophets. Each one of us is gifted in different ways. God only wants us to make good use of the talents He has given us. In the case of prophets, they must be prepared to be unpopular. Many times, prophets worked behind the scene to divert God's intended punishment. For example, Moses prayed to God to spare the rebellious Israelites who had made a golden calf to lead them out of the wilderness (Exodus 32:11-13). In reading Amos 7, we find the Amos did the same.
First of all, God showed Amos that He intended to send locusts to eat up all the crops. Amos intervened.
I said, "O Lord GOD, forgive, I beseech thee! How can Jacob stand? He is so small!"
The LORD repented concerning this; "It shall not be," said the LORD (Amos 7:2b-3)
Then God showed Amos that He intended to consume them with fire. Amos intervened again with similar words.
Then I said, "O Lord GOD, cease, I beseech thee! How can Jacob stand? He is so small!"
The LORD repented concerning this; "This also shall not be," said the Lord GOD (Amos 7:5-6).
God had chosen well. Amos loved his own people. A prophet should love his own people without seeking rewards or gratitude from them.

Indeed, Amos was not welcomed by the people in authority. Here, we find an exchange between Amaziah the priest of Bethel and Amos.
Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying, "Amos has conspired against you in the midst of the house of Israel; the land is not able to bear all his words." (Amos 7:10)
Amaziah expected the King to take action to remove Amos from Israel. More than that, he took the matter into his own hand and persuaded this trouble maker to flee.
And Amaziah said to Amos, "O seer, go, flee away to the land of Judah, and eat bread there, and prophesy there;
but never again prophesy at Bethel, for it is the king's sanctuary, and it is a temple of the kingdom." (Amos 7:12-13)
This is my turf. Don't mess it up. You are not welcomed here. Go elsewhere.
Of course, Amos did not leave. He stood his ground and continued to convey God's message to Israel.
The Democratic Party will stand their ground and continue their fight for universal suffrage. But they need to be more convincing. They need to back up their words with actions.

Dear Lord, without Your mandate, our voices and actions are feeble. Stand by us to build Your Kingdom on earth here and now. Amen.