The dream of Saint Joseph, narrated in the Gospels, is a pivotal moment in Christian history, bringing comfort and faith at a crucial time.
This dream is an emblematic passage in the Nativity story, found in the Gospel according to Matthew (1:20-21). Joseph, a just and pious man, falls asleep and is visited by an angel of the Lord in his dream. The angel told him not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife, for the child she was carrying came from the Holy Spirit. He also reveals to him that this child will be called Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.
This dream of Joseph, full of symbolic and theological meanings, is first and foremost an act of divine revelation. Joseph, faced with a delicate and incomprehensible situation, receives heavenly guidance. The angel brings him the certainty that the miraculous conception of the child in Mary's womb is divine and that Joseph is called to play an essential role in the divine plan of salvation.
Theologically, Joseph's dream evokes fidelity to God's will despite apparently contrary circumstances. It symbolises trust and unshakeable faith in the divine designs. Joseph, a model of virtue and obedience, accepts the mission entrusted to him to care for Mary and the unborn child.
On a narrative level, the dream of Joseph marks a decisive turning point in salvation history. He ensures the protection of Mary and the infant Jesus, thus guaranteeing the fulfilment of the messianic prophecies. Joseph becomes an adoptive and protective father, playing a central role in Jesus' life, passing on to him the Davidic lineage and overseeing his earthly education.
This dream, rich in symbolism, also underlines the importance of spiritual fatherhood. Joseph becomes a powerful example of responsibility, dedication and love for Jesus. He offers a model of a loving father who, despite the challenges and mysteries around him, chooses to obey God's will.
Joseph's dream resonates beyond the biblical context, offering a timeless teaching about trust in God, readiness to follow His will and spiritual fatherhood. It reminds us that, even in times of uncertainty, divine guidance is there to light our way, and that faith and obedience can lead to extraordinary achievements in the divine plan.
