Active Dreaming

 

Active Dreaming

A couple—both sixty years old—was celebrating their thirty-fifth wedding  anniversary. While walking on the beach, they stumbled upon a lamp where  a genie resides. After freeing the genie, they were granted the proverbial three  wishes. The man immediately said, “I want you to give me a fleet of cars!”  Immediately, the wish was granted. As a follow-up, he requested again, “Give  me lots and lots of cash.” It was granted. Then finally, he whispered to the  genie, “Give me a wife forty years younger than me.” Immediately, he became  a hundred years old.  

Maybe the genie was dumb. Or maybe, he saw through the selfishness of  the husband who only thought of his wishes. 

Our readings for today speak of Advent dreams fulfilled and realized.  The First Reading outlines for us the vision of Isaiah, the promise to be  brought about by the awaited coming Messiah: “The deaf shall hear . . . the  eyes of the blind shall see . . . and the poor rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.” In the Gospel, we see a glimpse of the fulfillment of that vision. Two blind  men from Capernaum were healed of their blindness. The season of Advent  speaks of the joyful anticipation of hopes realized and promises fulfilled in the  coming of the long-awaited Messiah.  

Today, I would like to propose that we look at the Advent season not only  from the point of view of the two blind men who were healed but from the  point of view of Jesus who performed the healing.  

Make your Advent season not only a passive one—a time for receiving.  Rather, make it an active one—a time for giving.  

This Advent, ask not only that your prayers may be answered. Pray also  that you may be the answer to other people’s prayers. Fr. Joel Jason

 

REFLECTION QUESTION When was the last time you actually went out of your way to do something for  someone who you do not even know? In prayer, look into your heart and ask the  Lord to elevate the desires of your heart from being a recipient to being a giver.

 

Lord Jesus, Emmanuel, may I not passively wait for Your coming. May I hasten Your coming  by being Your instrument of love and service. Amen. 

 

Today, I pray for: ________________________________________________