Dream of Joseph

The Angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream (Mt 1:20).

Saint Joseph's dreams are pivotal biblical moments in which God's angel reveals to him the divine will. We have at least four such dreams recorded: the first, when the angel reassures him concerning Mary (Mt 1:20-21); the second, commanding the flight into Egypt (Mt 2:13); the third, informing him of safe return from Egypt (Mt 2:19-20); and the fourth, indicating Nazareth (Mt 2:22-23). Through the Gospel account, Saint Joseph appears to us as a model of listening to and fulfilling God's will. This shows us that dreams are an instrument through which God guides and protects the Holy Family in difficult moments. Joseph, though silent, is a model of obedience, taking immediate, concrete action in accordance with God's will.

Dreams symbolize the spiritual life of each of us – that interior space which we should cultivate and guard, where God reveals Himself to us and often speaks to us. We know that there are often many voices within us: the voices of our fears, past experiences, and hopes. There is also the voice of the evil spirit, who wants to deceive and mislead us. Therefore, it is important to discern the voice of the Lord God among all these voices.

Saint Joseph teaches us how to cultivate necessary silence, and above all, how to make proper decisions through the Word of the Lord, which we hear in our heart and conscience. Saint Joseph teaches us a life filled with prayer, that is, conversation with God the Father. Very often it is precisely prayer that makes us intuitively see the way out and solution to our life problems. The Lord never allows difficulties to appear without giving us the help we need to deal with them.

In our difficult situations, prayer means listening to God's voice, which can give us the same courage as Saint Joseph, so that we may face our worries and not give up. God does not promise us that we will never feel fear, but that He will lead us through everything that is dangerous.

May Saint Joseph help us open ourselves to dialogue with God, so that we may find light, strength, and inner peace. May he help us face difficult life experiences. Let us entrust our families to his intercession.

Let us pray: Saint Joseph, man of dreams, teach us to cultivate spiritual life as an interior place where God reveals Himself and saves us. Remove from us the thought that prayer is useless. Help each of us respond to what the Lord indicates to us. May our reasoning be illumined by the light of the Holy Spirit, our hearts supported by His power, and our fears saved by His mercy. Amen.