Dreams

I awoke to the sound of a waterfall. Confused and still a little dazed, I looked around trying to catch my bearings. I was alone. My sleep must have been like a coma, I could only feel peace in this moment.

I tried to piece together, in my memory, what had taken place and how I landed here. More importantly, how was I going to get back to where I was? Suddenly, I realized my stuff was gone. I got up quickly, feeling a little lightheaded, and looked around. Over on another rock I saw my bag of memories and next to it a white bag, whose sparkles reflected the sun, written across it was the word “Dreams.”

Ah yes, I remember that one.

Trying to assess the situation, I thought, “Okay, what happened.” My heart dropped when I realized He left me after he promised he wouldn’t. I heard a sound that startled me, and whirled around,

“He had to go, but he asked me to stay, it’s okay…” He must have read my face as I was backing up toward the bags, “He left you a note. I won’t move, you go read the note. I promise, it is okay. Read the note. I won’t move.”

I realized I wasn’t actually scared. I was more confused than anything so I went over and looked for the note he told me about. “It’s in the white bag” I nodded, still not talking and started to read,

Beloved,

I felt a rush of warmth through me, I was his beloved, I let it sink in. I continued reading.

I know it feels like I am gone because you can no longer see me, but I am still with you. I will be with you always. Just as I promised my friends at the beginning of this mission, I will always be with you. Nothing can separate us. Look no further than your heart. I left you with one of my own helpers, Raphael was with me so many times….”

(I stopped and looked at Raphael and he smiled, it was only then I noticed a bit of wing hanging out of his jean jacket,)

“Oh my God, You’re Archangel Raphael?” I was beaming, “I love you!!”

He laughed, “We know! that’s why I’m here!”

I went back to the letter.

“…and I am going to need you both again this week. I think you already know that you are through that door. On the other side of everything that was holding you back. You are transformed. The bags that are left are all you need. Courage, love, memories and dreams. I have dreams for you too, by the way. So listen to Raphael and please let me know you are with me this week, I’ll be looking for you.”

“What is he talking about, “this week,” what’s happening?

“Holy Week. In his heart he goes right back to Jerusalem. It’s hard on him. He is going to need us.”

I could already feel my heart breaking but Raphael said, “there will be plenty of time for that this week, right now, look inside your bag of dreams.”

“I know what’s in there, they’re my dreams,” I chuckled.

“They’re his dreams too. I think he added a few.”

I peeked in…

“Oh my God”

“Yup” he said.

“I’ll look at them later, I want to find Jesus. I need to find Jesus”

“We will, we are going there next. Here, put on these clothes, we need to blend in.”

***A Blessed Palm Sunday to all. I hope you join us.***

Reflection: What if Jesus is personally asking you to accompany him through this most holy week of the year? What would you say? What would it look like to immerse yourself in Jesus’s experience in 2021?