Catholic Commentary on Ezekiel 2

“Do not be afraid of them or their words. Do not be afraid, though briers and thorns are all around you and you live among scorpions.” (Ezekiel 2:6)

Ezekiel's Call

The Spirit enters Ezekiel and raises him to his feet. The voice speaks: son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against me. They and their ancestors have been in revolt against me to this very day. The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate and stubborn. Do not be afraid of them or their words. Do not be afraid, though briers and thorns are all around you and you live among scorpions. Do not be afraid of what they say or terrified by them, though they are a rebellious people. You must speak my words to them, whether they listen or fail to listen, for they are rebellious. A hand stretches out to him with a scroll inscribed on both sides with words of lament and mourning and woe.

The Catechism identifies the prophetic call with its warning about the audience's potential rejection as the model of every Christian mission: the word must be spoken whether or not it is received (CCC 849).

Living the Word

Brothers and sisters, whether they listen or fail to listen, you must speak my words to them. The effectiveness of the prophetic word is not the prophet's responsibility; the speaking of it is. Do not let the anticipated rejection silence what God has given you to say. You are not sent to produce a result; you are sent to deliver a message. Deliver it.

Prayer

Lord God, whether they listen or fail to listen, give us the courage to speak your words. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

2
Ezekiel’s Call
1 “Son of man,* 2:1 Or Son of Adam; here and throughout Ezekiel” He said to me, “stand up on your feet and I will speak to you.” 2 And as He spoke to me, the Spirit entered me and set me on my feet, and I heard Him speaking to me.
 
3 “Son of man,” He said to me, “I am sending you to the Israelites, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against Me. To this very day they and their fathers have rebelled against Me. 4 They are obstinate and stubborn children. I am sending you to them, and you are to say to them, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says.’
 
5 And whether they listen or refuse to listen-for they are a rebellious house-they will know that a prophet has been among them.
 
6 But you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words. Do not be afraid, though briers and thorns surround you, and you dwell among scorpions. Do not be afraid of their words or dismayed by their presence, though they are a rebellious house. 7 But speak My words to them, whether they listen or refuse to listen, for they are rebellious.
 
8 And you, son of man, listen to what I tell you. Do not be rebellious like that rebellious house. Open your mouth and eat what I give you.”
 
9 Then I looked and saw a hand reaching out to me, and in it was a scroll, 10 which He unrolled before me. And written on the front and back of it were words of lamentation, mourning, and woe.

*2:1 2:1 Or Son of Adam; here and throughout Ezekiel

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