Dreams of Inspiration

For most of us, as we sleep, during what is called the REM cycle, we can have many dreams, most of which we don’t remember once we awake. Usually, the ones we do remember, are those that seem very surreal, lucid, or, by some unknown, perhaps Divine reason, seem inspiring. Sometimes our dreams are but just manifestations of our subconscious being influenced by our everyday lives. Sometimes our dreams are based on eating that bologna sandwich we shouldn’t have eaten right before going to bed. However, dreams can sometimes be messages that can help us in some of the most important decisions in our lives.

Throughout history, there have been cases of people receiving visions as they slept. The best example of this would be Joseph, the foster father of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Four times an angel was sent to him by God that helped him play a major role in our salvation. In the first dream, the angel told him not to be afraid to take Mary, our Blessed Mother, as his wife. Because she was pregnant, not by him, thinking that there would be scandal, he was going to quietly dismiss her. In doing so, he was going to spare her from humiliation and possible consequences that would have arisen during that time for women who had children out of wedlock. “But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.”’ (Matthew 1:20).

Joseph’s dreams didn’t end there. When Herod plotted to kill the baby Jesus, as it is read in Matthew 2:13, “An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.’”

…And then in Matthew 2:19-20, “When Herod died, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who were seeking the child’s life are dead.’”

Again, from another dream, Joseph resolved to settle in the district of Galilee.

We also have saints who have received messages or visions from our Lord in dreams. Examples are St. John Bosco, St. Perpetua, St. Monica, just to name a few.

Even today, people can have dreams sent to them from God. Lately, I have been having a recurring dream in which I am a monk in a monastery. I do know that I am destined to live a life of service to God, but I have always thought it was just that of an ordained priest. Here lately, I am thinking that maybe I should live a monastic life in total dedication to our Lord. I had my dream again last night, in which I was with a group of monks and we were all praying in Latin. I was wearing the traditional garments of a monk, the robe, the vestments, everything. I can’t remember exactly what we were praying in Latin, but I do remember a few words…I believe it to be our Lord’s prayer in Latin… “Pater Noster, qui es in caelis, sanctificér nomen tuum. Advéniat regnum tuum, fiat volúntas tua sicut in caelo et in terra.” In modern day English, “Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

What strikes me even more is that I just had to look that bit of Latin up to be able to write it; and, even though I am trying to learn Latin, I can’t remember all of that! I can only remember “Pater Noster, qui es in caelis, sanctificér nomen tuum.”

I am not claiming to be a saint. I am far from it! I do not lay claims to any miracles or prophetic dreams. However, I do believe that God is telling me what I must do. When I woke up this morning, I felt nothing but joy and clarity. Thy will be done, oh my Lord, for You know what is best for me.