Dear Fathers, Friends in Christ,
2 Samuel 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16
Psalm 89:2-3, 4-5, 27 and 29
Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22
Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24a
Whenever we find ourselves or others dealing with a feeling of being called by God to fulfill a certain task, it is never easy to be sure what in the end is really God's will. We know that on the one hand, God will not communicate with us by fax, or phone call, or an email, but we do feel a need to be sure if we are on the right track.
Joseph is such a man who feels his world has been turned upside down and yet wants to do the right thing. He, as we say, sleeps on it, and in his sleep he prays on it as well. People in his day were used to communicating with God through their dreams, and trusted that God would hear their prayers if they selflessly sought His will like Joseph did.
The way of dreams is not open to us as it was to Joseph, but the way of prayer is, as long as we are willing to wait for God to give us the answer we seek in His way, and in His time.
Father Ed Bakker
Anglican Catholic Church/Original Province
Mission of Saint Aidan of Lindisfarne
Bendigo
Australia
