HOMILY FOR TUESDAY OF THE THIRTY-FOURTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A.
HOMILY THEME: DREAMS, VISIONS, SIGNS AND THE FUTURE
BY: Fr. Evaristus Abu
HOMILY:
“A great God has made known to the king what shall be hereafter. The dream is certain, and its interpretation sure.” Dan 2:45.
In every human being, there is an inner restlessness, a deep seated curiosity about the content of the future. We have always wanted to know what tomorrow holds because we believe that knowledge helps us live better, avoid mistakes and make the right choices today.
That we are interested in the future is not so much the problem; it is how we go about trying to acquire knowledge about this aspect of reality that is constantly shrouded in darkness. As it was in the days of old, so also today, many believe that dreams tell the future and so, each morning they wake up puzzled on what could be the meaning of their dreams and how it affects their future.
Some even go as far as consulting magicians, fortune tellers and all sorts of persons who claim to have spiritual powers. This was exactly the case with King Nebuchadnezzar in our first reading today.
Now, given that fortune tellers and magicians are mere business men who simply make a living by deception, Nebuchadnezzar probably got sick and tired of their lies and decided to put them to the test by asking them for not only the interpretation but the content of his dream. Their outright failure teaches us a lesson: that indeed all those who claim powers to know the future are FAKE. Only God can tell the future!
I don’t care what he or she calls themselves, pastor, prophet, seer, etc., any human being who claims to know the future is FAKE. Towards the end of last year, many notable men of God in a bid to score popularity points predicted events in 2017, but how my of those predictions have come true? It is shameful that reasonable persons still fill their churches Sunday after Sunday.
Nobody other than God can reveal the future. Hence when Daniel successfully told the king the future and its interpretation, he quickly acknowledged that what he had said did not come from him but from God.
In our Gospel passage, Jesus, even though gave some little clues about signs that would take place before the end of the world, he practically told us not to even pre-occupy ourselves with the future or his second coming. Virtually all the signs Jesus talked about are already happening or have happened already yet we do not know how long it will take for the world to end.
Dear friends, trying to know the future should never be our primary concern. Breaking our heads over content of our dreams is for me, a waste of time. Yes! Beliefs are powerful, once you form strong beliefs based on your own interpretation of your dreams, don’t be surprised to see them happening. It is not as if God spoke to you through your dreams, it was the case that your beliefs about your dreams were strong enough to bring them to reality. As Jesus would say: “Go, your faith has made you well”; your faith, your beliefs are powerful.
Personally, I don’t pay attention to my dreams rather I select my beliefs; I ensure that I don’t go about expecting negative things to happen; I am positive minded and optimistic and life has been so beautiful for me because I always get my expectations; my positive beliefs. I believe everything God wants to reveal to me, He has done so already in Jesus Christ who is the definitive word of God. If I haven’t finished reading the bible cover to cover, why should I bother my head over new revelations about the future? Could my dreams tell me more than what the word of God says?
Indeed, I would be most foolish if I go about consulting modern day magicians, business men, con artists who parade themselves as prophets of God concerning my dreams; persons who do not even know their own future talk less of that of another; persons who simply confuse you or tell you what you like to hear so that they can milk you continuously of your money in the name of bringing divine solution! Let us be Wise!
Yes, the world would end. But the world ends each minute. This very moment is actually all you have. This moment is all that matters; use this time well; live a good life now and just forget about tomorrow.
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, help me live each moment according to your will. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. (Tuesday of the 34th Week in Ordinary Time). Bible Study: Daniel 2:31-45 and Luke 21:5-11.
