A DREAM FROM WHICH THE DIVINE REALITY OF MAN'S REDEMPTION COMES TO LIFE

In Joseph's dream the Angel can speak with serenity and tranquility in the name of God. Why Joseph, whose heart is already prepared to welcome God, now he can understand the details of the divine plan in the light of faith.

 

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Dear Readers and friends of The Island of Patmos,

we all have dreams. We are men and we always tend to welcome our deepest desires and aspirations. So we have an end, a larger and more precise purpose that directs all the other smaller and more daily choices. All our dreams tend to humanize us and make us better because we reflect through them, we put ourselves to the test and are willing to put ourselves on the line.

Joseph also he had his dream. Marry his girlfriend, Maria. He was almost at the pace of the wedding ritual celebration. But Joseph realizes that Mary is pregnant. Like this, suddenly, he is in a drama. His dream breaks. What he had longed for and expected can no longer come true. Maria cannot be his wife. But overcome the initial discouragement, Joseph does not lose heart. With justice towards God and towards Mary herself, he places himself in obedience to the law of Deuteronomy: to avoid stoning she decides to write a letter to break off the engagement in a discreet and confidential way. God helps Joseph and sends him an Angel in a dream. Here then is that Joseph can abandon his dream to enter God's dream. In Joseph's dream the Angel can speak with serenity and tranquility in the name of God. Why Joseph, whose heart is already prepared to welcome God, now he can understand the details of the divine plan in the light of faith.

Joseph learns from the Angel who must name the son of God. To that very special son, willed by the Eternal Father, first person of the Trinity, Joseph is called to give the name. Naming implies having parental authority and offering legal paternity. And Jesus is the son of Joseph by legal means. (D)The name means that God entrusts Joseph with a very important task: proclaim to the world that Jesus, that child who came so mysteriously into her life, it is God who saves the whole world. Joseph thus becomes the first announcer of the name of God who offers the announcement of salvation. Finally God's dream announced in Isaiah is fulfilled and realized [cf.. 7,14]. When Giuseppe wakes up, he has the key to that broken dream in his heart. He earned everything a hundredfold, in God's dream that comes true in him. So he takes Maria with him, as a faithful husband, affectionate groom and a man who is careful and precise in his work and takes care of his bride. Together with Maria, she takes care of and guards that mysterious child. With Mary he teaches him the practices of the Jewish faith. Joseph in his loyal chastity is a fruitful and authentic father for this mysterious son.

God's dream surpasses the human one of Joseph. And it is even more beautiful and unexpected. Writes the biblical scholar Rosalba Manes:

«With Joseph, man returns to being as Genesis presents him to us before sin: lover and custodian of the gifts of God"

This can happen in our lives. How many times do we have to abandon projects and dreams. With difficulty we succeed. But if we leave all the projects and enter God's dream, we will not lose anything but we will have everything a hundredfold.

We ask the Lord to bring our lives into His Dream, to all become little Joseph and Mary, and with the grace we have received, give the world the salvation of God.

Amen.

Santa Maria Novella in Florence, 18 December 2022

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