Homily: July 12, 2025, Saturday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary time (Dreams)

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 “Then his brothers proceeded to fling themselves down before him and said, ‘Let us be your slaves!’”. 

Joseph’s brothers were fearful that Joseph would seek vengeance on them for the evil they did to him decades ago, now that their father Jacob had died.

Decades ago, Joseph had a dream in which he saw his brothers’ bundles of sheaves bow down to his own bundle of sheaf, symbolizing their submission to his authority and power. Naturally, the brothers, who were already jealous of the special favor Joseph received from their father, were filled with resentment hearing about that dream. They plotted to kill him but finally sold him away as a slave.

Now that they needed his help and protection, they were offering themselves as his slaves. Joseph’s dream came true, it was a vision of the future, it was prophetic.

But Joseph assured them: “Have no fear.  Can I take the place of God? Even though you meant harm to me, God meant it for good, to achieve his present end, the survival of many people.”

Yes, God turned the brothers’ evil plot into a saving plan for His people. Although Joseph went through years of hardship and the suffering of separation from his father, his faith kept him going. God’s will was thus fulfilled, His plan accomplished.

Do you have dreams and visions too?

I have many strange nighttime dreams which often seemed real and sometimes caused me distress. I often dream that I was late for Mass or an important event, that I was stuck in traffic while the entire church was waiting for me. I don’t know what these recurring dreams could mean, but they are not prophetic and I sure hope they will not happen in real!

Our daily dreams can be strange, but we see various occasions in Scripture where dreams are one of God’s ways to speak to and direct His people. Dreams which are inspired by the Holy Spirit may reveal God’s plan for our lives, for our families, for the Church, and for the world. They can therefore be prophetic and His way of intervening to bring about the fruition of His salvific plan.

In the book of Joel, we read: “I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh. Your sons and daughters shall prophesy. Your old men shall dream dreams. Your young men shall see visions.” (Joel 3:1)

May our hearts and minds be open to God’s voice, whether He speaks in our quiet prayers, our daily events, or in our dreams, may we be joyful and cooperative instruments in His plan of salvation for the world. Peace and goodwill to all mankind!

Amen.


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