Dreams and Prophecy

AM Psalm 50 • PM Psalm [59, 60] or 8, 84
1 Kings 18:1-19 • Phil. 2:12-30 • Matt. 2:13-23

Today’s Gospel is full of the future and the past, dreams and prophecy. In Matthew 2:13-15, “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.’ ...[which] was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, ‘Out of Egypt I have called my son.’” This happened immediately after the three wise men, sent by Herod, paid homage to Jesus and were told in a dream to hide from Herod. The third dream we are told about in this passage is in verse 19, “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.” Then verse 23 reads, “There he made his home in Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, ‘He will be called a Nazorean.’”

During the last few months there has been such an increase in stress, sickness, and extreme divisiveness. This has spilled over into my dreams and led to some very unrestful nights. I do trust in the words of one much more powerful than any prophet, Jesus, and what he said in Matthew 11:28-30. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” I have read, repeated, and prayed on these three verses more during the last few months, and they never fail to bring me peace, praise be to God.

Written by Tara Elzer

A faithful Member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.