What Comes of His Dreams

What Comes of His Dreams 

March 1, 2013

Friday of the Second Week of Lent

By Melanie Rigney

 (Joseph’s brothers) said to one another: “Here comes that master dreamer! Come on, let us kill him and throw him into one of the cisterns here; we could say that a wild beast devoured him. We shall then see what comes of his dreams.” (Genesis 37:19-20)

Remember the marvels the Lord has done. (Psalms 105:5)

(After telling the chief priests and elders the parable of the tenants,) Jesus said to them: Did you never read in the Scriptures: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; by the Lord has this been done, and it is wonderful in our eyes? Therefore, I say to you, the Kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit.” (Matthew 21:42-43)

Piety

Lord, I offer up praise and thanks for the love you show me each and every day. May I remember that while all others may cast me aside, you will never reject me and that I am wonderful in your eyes.

Study

It’s never been particularly comfortable to be a wild dreamer in this world, whether your name was Joseph or Jesus or Martin Luther King Jr. or Steve Jobs or Danica Patrick. We’re much more comfortable with conformity, with people who docilely go along and don’t make waves. People who dream of a brighter future or who dare to think about better or different ways to live run into rejection all the time, by their peers, their families, their communities, their competitors, and those who despise them simply for breathing. If you’re regarded as successful, people snipe about your perceived egoism or arrogance. If you’re regarded as a failure, they’re more than happy to pile on about your shortcomings and why they knew all along you were a loser.

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus alludes to himself as “the stone that the builders rejected.” But the lesson applies to each of us as well. We will experience rejection throughout our lives, whether it’s not being selected for a new job or the end of a romantic relationship or being mocked for our faith, but that can’t stop us from finding ways to draw closer to God or to do his will. What we can do is to keep those priests and elders in mind when we are tempted to dismiss those who push our and society’s buttons or who reject us, instead of reflecting Christ’s love, patience and, where necessary, forgiveness, in our dealings with them. It may not make our dreams any more likely to come true in this world… but it helps us prepare for the joy of the next one.

Action

Think of someone in your daily life you have difficulty understanding and loving as Christ does. Examine how much of the distance is due to jealousy, envy, and judgment. Is there something about the person that Christ admires? Pray about ways you can better appreciate that gift.