Dear Readers,
What do you dream about?
Every day we hear of someone who experienced a “dream come true.” Someone won the lottery, someone went to Disneyland, someone got tickets to the Final Four. The assumption here is that all dreams are good dreams, all dreams follow a happily-ever-after plot, and all dreamers wish their dreams will come true.
A few weeks ago, I dreamt my husband and I had medical appointments at the same time in the same clinic, so we drove together. When we got there, Dave went off to his appointment leaving me to go to mine, but he did not leave me alone. I’m not sure how I had missed his presence during our car ride there, but we had brought along Robin, a 95-pound German Shepherd. Immediately upon arrival, the dog took off racing up and down every hallway in the building joyously jumping on everyone he met.
I should mention, we don’t have a dog named Robin; we don’t have a dog at all.
When I finally caught and corralled Robin, the receptionist told me I had missed my appointment, but she would be happy to reschedule me for early in 2026.
I would desperately like to believe this dream held no deep meaning, that it was
neither a sign of my mental deterioration nor an important message from the Almighty.
Since Freud’s interpretation of dreams has always been quite controversial, I’m not going to him for help. My family doctor once dismissed my concern about dreams telling me that disturbing dreams are usually caused by eating one too many chili cheese dogs for dinner. (As I recall, I’d only had a turkey sandwich the night before my dramatic doggie dream).
Many sleep experts believe dreams are an attempt to work through unexamined or unresolved events and problems from the day before. Hmmmmm . . . do I secretly want to get a dog? Do I secretly want to get a new doctor? A new husband?
In The Tempest, Shakespeare himself struggled with the “stuff as dreams are made of” and concluded by the end of Act II that all of life is but a dream. Merrily, merrily.
The thing is, how can I know for sure God isn’t trying to tell me something in a dream?
People have always been fascinated by this thing called sleep and the dreams that come with it. Since both are completely out of our control, our ancient ancestors decided both must be caused by supernatural forces. Makes sense. If God created the human brain, He also created the way it functions. So, for thousands of years, dreams have been associated with religion and the belief that God speaks to us in our dreams.
In Numbers 12:6, God told Aaron and Miriam, “In visions I reveal myself to the prophets among you; in dreams I speak to them.” In Job 33:14, “God does speak . . . in a dream
. . . when deep sleep falls upon mortals . . . it is then He opens their ears.” In the Genesis stories about Joseph, we learn not only that Joseph was a dreamer of many God-sent dreams, but that he had also been given the ability to interpret dreams (along with a very chic, many-colored coat).
But according to an article by Charles L Souvay in Catholic Answers, from about the eighth century B.C. on, prophets “repeatedly warned the people against giving heed to their dreams (Jeremiah 19:8) and Ben Sirach wisely added that dreams have deceived many (Ecclesiastes 34:7).” By the time of Israel, “there never did exist a class of diviners,” in the synagogues, “making it their business to interpret the dreams of their” people. As scripture scholar David Schrock summarizes, after the resurrection of Jesus and the reception of the full deposit of faith, with the revelation of God in Christ, we no longer needed dreams to discern God’s will. (Although the Church still teaches us angels do act as occasional messengers from on high).
This assertion is supported by modern day Catholic writers such as Bishop Robert Barron, Fr. Mike Schmitz, and Peter Kreeft who all maintain that “hearing the voice of God” in one’s life requires prayer, fasting, Scripture study, reception of the sacraments, and periods of not just meditation but contemplation in which one is completely silent in the presence of the Lord. Nothing on any of those lists about trying to figure out your dreams!
So, rest easy, sleep easy, dear Readers, and don’t be troubled by those crazy dreams! Lent is the perfect time to make sure we set aside some daily “awake” time dedicated to listening, really listening, for the voice of God in our lives. That way, He won’t be compelled to disturb our slumber.
Good thing. I need all the uninterrupted sleep I can get in order to have a lot of energy; we’re picking up our new puppy today.
P.S. May all your dreams be sweet ones.
Linda E. Kelly is a member of Blessed Sacrament Parish in Madison.