Dreams are strange experiences. Sometimes they come in sleep, often in
mixed-up and confusing images. Other times, a dream comes as a lingering longing,
clothed in hope. These dreams are about the future and destiny, and purpose in life.
Some dreams seem to be the result of too much pizza too close to bedtime. Others
are the work of God’s Spirit. How can a person tell the difference?
One of the ways to distinguish a God given dream is this. Do I experience
the dream as “wishful thinking” — “gee, wouldn’t it be nice if…..” Or does that
dream have the power to move my heart and will. Do I find a strong desire and
determination to work toward that dream.
We can help discover and make clear the dreams God put in our
community by asking some questions. What has God given to us as a community?
What has he given materially, spiritually, socially? How does God want us to use
those gifts? What is God’s dream for us — who does God want us to be?
Surely God dreams of taking care of us, just like you dream of taking care of
the people you love. But God also desires deeply to draw us into the work of his
kingdom. Just as Amos the prophet and the Twelve Apostles received a call to
carry forward God’s work, so too each of us receives a call in our baptism. God
has given your community and each individual something of the “mystery” of His
plan of salvation. Each of us has experienced something of God’s mercy, God’s
power, God’s patience. What we have received must be passed on and shared. The
task is to play our part in creating a union of respect and mutual help in the human
community.