The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord Year A - 2/2/2014 - Gospel: Lk 2: 22-32
Dreams fulfilled
We all have dreams big and small and some dreams are easy to fulfil while others challenge us day and night and remain with us forever. We dream for ourselves and we have dreams for people whom we love. Most of the dreams are nonsensical or of fanciful products but some of them are truly useful. Our dream time will be wasted if we have no plan to make our dreams come true. Some of our dreams reflect the reality such as we dream to have a house or to have a good job or we dream that children are accepted to the school we have applied for. Dreams as such become more real because they are within our reach and we work towards achieving that goal.
Somewhere in our mind a dream is a representation of unconscious desires, thoughts and motivations. We dream simply because we haven't got what we would like to have and we try hard to work towards the goal set before us. Social obstacles or being uncommitted make our dreams die young.
Dreams reorganize our live when we wish to have a better future or when we wish to achieve a missed opportunity in the pass, refreshing our lives and preparing for the next phase of live are real and good dreams to have. Dreams as such are reflected in today readings. Mary and Joseph's dream was to fulfil the laws of Moses, offering their only Son to the Lord as the sign of consecration. This action of faith tells us that the couple's dream to raise their son under the guidance of the Holy Spirit is reflected in the saying
'and Jesus increased in wisdom, in stature, and in favour of God and men' Lk 2,52.
It is immature to say at this stage, the hidden life of Christ, but the feast of the presentation pregnant within it the ideas later in His life, the public ministry, Jesus dreamt to meet his faithful people and to save them. Jesus determined to fulfil his dream regardless of the cost, even the cost of His own life on the cross. He first met them in the temple and His very first sermon also happened in the temple. He was sitting amongst the doctors. They listened to Him and asked questions and they praised Him for His intelligent and His replies. Lk 2,48.
Simeon and Anna dreamt to meet their Saviour, led by the Holy Spirit they met baby Jesus and recognized Him as their Lord. Simeon and Anna's dreams were fulfilled because they longed to meet their Saviour and they were enduring enough to keep going until they received what they asked for. Their many years waiting to meet the Lord were fulfilled and Simeon was so happy that he asked to enjoy the eternal peace when he met Jesus.
Now, Master, you can let your servant go in peace, just as you promised; because my eyes have seen the salvation which you have prepared for all the nation to see, a light to enlighten the pagans and the glory of your people Israel Lk 2,29-32.
Dreams of yearning to do something for the Lord seem to be easier to fulfil than dreams to do something for our own benefit because dreams that come the hearts are truer and more passionate than fanciful dreams from the head. In other words dreams are empowered by a real love for the Lord that is more real and often achievable because God's grace is with us in our dreams.
Somewhere in our mind a dream is a representation of unconscious desires, thoughts and motivations. We dream simply because we haven't got what we would like to have and we try hard to work towards the goal set before us. Social obstacles or being uncommitted make our dreams die young.
Dreams reorganize our live when we wish to have a better future or when we wish to achieve a missed opportunity in the pass, refreshing our lives and preparing for the next phase of live are real and good dreams to have. Dreams as such are reflected in today readings. Mary and Joseph's dream was to fulfil the laws of Moses, offering their only Son to the Lord as the sign of consecration. This action of faith tells us that the couple's dream to raise their son under the guidance of the Holy Spirit is reflected in the saying
'and Jesus increased in wisdom, in stature, and in favour of God and men' Lk 2,52.
It is immature to say at this stage, the hidden life of Christ, but the feast of the presentation pregnant within it the ideas later in His life, the public ministry, Jesus dreamt to meet his faithful people and to save them. Jesus determined to fulfil his dream regardless of the cost, even the cost of His own life on the cross. He first met them in the temple and His very first sermon also happened in the temple. He was sitting amongst the doctors. They listened to Him and asked questions and they praised Him for His intelligent and His replies. Lk 2,48.
Simeon and Anna dreamt to meet their Saviour, led by the Holy Spirit they met baby Jesus and recognized Him as their Lord. Simeon and Anna's dreams were fulfilled because they longed to meet their Saviour and they were enduring enough to keep going until they received what they asked for. Their many years waiting to meet the Lord were fulfilled and Simeon was so happy that he asked to enjoy the eternal peace when he met Jesus.
Now, Master, you can let your servant go in peace, just as you promised; because my eyes have seen the salvation which you have prepared for all the nation to see, a light to enlighten the pagans and the glory of your people Israel Lk 2,29-32.
Dreams of yearning to do something for the Lord seem to be easier to fulfil than dreams to do something for our own benefit because dreams that come the hearts are truer and more passionate than fanciful dreams from the head. In other words dreams are empowered by a real love for the Lord that is more real and often achievable because God's grace is with us in our dreams.
Written by Fr Vũđình Tường
St Francis Xavier Catholic Parish
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane Australia
St Francis Xavier Catholic Parish
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane Australia