IN A DREAM

GOSPEL — MATTHEW 2:1-12
The Epiphany of Our Lord

​When God speaks to you in a dream, you listen. Talk to Jacob, Joseph, or Daniel about this. Just a quick chapter ago in Matthew’s gospel, Joseph was told in a dream to stick by Mary and to name their child “Jesus,” meaning “savior.” Shortly after today’s account of the magi, Joseph will be guided in a dream to take refuge in Egypt, and again will be directed to a safe and secure place to call home at Nazareth in Galilee.

The magi also took to their travels via a vision. They observed a star and took it on faith that they should follow. The star led them to both promise and danger, and to a rather dubious audience with the sitting king. Despite the challenges, the magi continued, with courage and trust, to follow their vision to its end, to the place where Jesus was. It was in another dream that these travelers were guided to a better route home. This was both a detour out of harm’s way, in a real sense, and also a symbolic way of walking the world differently after having encountered Christ.

For and about what do you dream—not just your dreams in sleep, but your waking dreams and visions as well? When your heart beats in time with God’s hopes and dreams for the world, what will it take for you to follow that vision? What risks will you take? What challenges will you be called to confront? How will you be changed when you encounter God in the flesh, God among us?

By stars, visions, and faith itself, we are always being led by God toward hope and life, and we are being drawn to new pathways of forgiveness, compassion, and justice. We dream. And then we follow.

From sundaysandseasons.com.
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