The prophetic dimension of the society of Christian doctrine

Abstract

The Bible narrates the life and experience of the people of Israel and how God intervened in the making of their history. The life of the chosen people was marked by the significant presence of prophets, a presence signifying the unfailing faithfulness of God to the covenant and as guide to holiness. Israel's life and experience is a reflection of our lives and experiences today. Their unfaithfulness, their social injustices and transgressions, their hard headedness are ours as well. Yet, God's faithfulness endures and is also present in our personal lives. If we keep the eyes of our hearts open to the signs of God, we continue to sense the presence of 'prophets'. The aim of this long essay is to portray what the prophets in the Bible represented and how we, faithful Christians, and especially members of the Society of Christian Doctrine, are called to be 'prophets'. It is not an exhaustive exposition of the subject, and I wish that whoever reads it continues to delve, reflect and, more importantly, live this prophetic dimension. We, members of the Society of Christian Doctrine, have received the same charism that St George Preca, our Founder, received in 1907. Our task remains the same: to find ways how to live this charism and prophetic mission in today's ever changing culture.