Everyone dreams. We dream of things we can achieve and of things we desire but cannot achieve. Americans are in the middle of choosing who they will vote for in the presidential elections in November 2016. Some dream of a president who could make America "Great Again." Others dream of having lasting jobs in a free-market economy. On Friday June 17, 2016 the Russian President Vladimir Putin seemed to endorse Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee for president, since "Mr. Trump has declared that he is ready for the full restoration of Russian-American relations". This is the political scene of the "sole Superpower" as Putin put it. It is another dream that may or may not resolve global tensions.
On the other hand, Pope Francis continues to dream of assisting the poor and refugees probably because he has lived in Argentina for so long and witnessed poverty. In his latest reflection on June 15, 2016, he asked "How many times do we, when we find ourselves before so many refugees and migrants, feel bothered?" saying this is a temptation everyone has "even me, all of us" (see: http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/are-you-bothered-by-the-cry-of-the-poor-if-so-its-a-problem-pope-says-90047/).
Fr. Henri Boulad, S.J., expressed his dream in a number of talks and recently upon being honoured by the Coptic Orthodox Patriarch for his contribution to the Coptic-Catholic ecumenical dialogue, he expressed his dream. In his response Fr. Boulad said that the goal is not solely Christian unity but, in his view, the goal is the unity of the entire human race. In a subsequent interview, the Jesuit scholar said his life-long desire is to "change the world..." by the grace of God.
On a deeper spiritual level my readers are invited to share this dream expressed by one of arguably the most eloquent preachers in the 20th century. In one of his latest talks prior to his retirement and death in 1979, Archbishop Fulton Sheen spoke about the Blessed Virgin Mary. He spoke of her in three forms as God's dream for humanity's return to the garden of the blessed; as God's Mother; and as God's bride. His fascinating talk can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TG5-RSevDBI
Our loving God dreams too and his dreams may be realized in the response of every Christian...
Such is the hymn in this month of the Sacred Heart : Jesus, My Lord, My God, My All:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vL6zvsRxpMo
Saturday, June 18, 2016
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