I have the most vivid dreams. I don’t dream as much, that I can remember, when I stay up late or sleep less than 7 hours. Lately, though, I’ve been making an enormous effort to get to bed before 10:00pm so that I can be up by shortly before 6:00am. The result of which has been dreams. Crazy dreams, scary dreams, bizarre dreams. So many dreams, but none more memorable than one during the early hours of Thursday morning.
My mother and I, as well as teachers from school, were invited to a private audience with Pope Francis. After the audience, we lead him in a procession into mass. Obviously, all of us involved considered this a huge honor. In my dream, I spent quite a bit of time shopping for the best, most flattering outfit. I ended up wearing a dress from Target. That’s not the punchline; I actually rather like the dress. The coral and yellow striped beach hat was another story. Not even dreams could make that hat acceptable.
We were lined up with the Pope who, in my dream, was petite and friendly. Big church doors opened–I think my mind inserted Westminster Abbey–and Pope Francis turned to me and said, “Here we go! Are you ready?”
I said yes, even though I felt anything but ready.
Suddenly, as often happens in dreams, we were in the sanctuary. This sanctuary was different. It was circular, like the old 360� stages used in MTV Unplugged, only enormous. The stage held comfy leather sofas at least two deep. And chairs, also comfy, but more like something you’d see in a doctor’s office. Needless to say, we were all excited about the sofas and chairs.
I approached the softest looking sofa but was surprised to find a man stretched out and fast asleep. How rude of him, I thought, to be at this important mass, in a place of honor, only to drool all over the furniture. To say nothing about wasting the best seat in the house! My mom and I shared a glance of annoyance.
We kept moving. I saw two chairs that were empty, but on my way there I almost tripped on a pile of of dirty, stained blankets on the floor. I made a mental note to talk to whoever was in charge and tried to discreetly kick the blankets under the nearest chair. My foot hit something solid. I looked down and found the blankets covered a homeless man. A squatter! Now the people in charge were really going to hear it. All of us started mumbling opinions, none of them kind.
As I looked around the sanctuary, I noticed many of the chairs and sofas were occupied by the homeless, the addicted, and the ill. Even the floors were difficult to navigate. But it wasn’t impossible to sit down. The two chairs next to the homeless man wrapped in blankets were empty, but to sit in them we would have to step over the man. His stench was overpowering. He made my eyes water.
There was a chair next to another man, but he was obviously intoxicated. I almost sat down there, but he looked like he was going to be sick. No thanks!
It seemed like every seat in the sanctuary had a problem.
At this point, mass was about to begin. Those of us invited by Pope Francis made our way to the nave. Not nearly as prestigious, but it smelled better and we could sit next to each other rather than people we didn’t know–or care to know, honestly.
During all this, I could feel Pope Francis watching us. I caught his eye; he smiled just like he does on TV and in pictures. I preened.
In a soft, gentle voice he said to all of us, “Your true faith is expressed not in your presence at a special mass, but in your treatment of the poor, the ill, the marginalized people of society.”
I woke up.
Well, as far as dreams go that seems both straightforward and deeply meaningful. xox
Haha! Seriously!
Beautiful. “I woke up” is profound….hopefully not just from our sleep, but also from our selfishness and blindness!
Ooooh, so good. Well said.
So beautiful. Brought tears to my eyes.
Thank you. :)
A dream straight from God. That’s so powerful.
I really feel that it was. I woke up stunned. That’s never happened to me before, at least not that I can remember.
Oh Jules, I really have nothing to say that has not already been said, except maybe my mantra, “love it.” Truly.
There’s nothing quite like having a conversation with God.
Thanks, Amy. :)
Wow. This one will stay with you, that’s for sure. We should all learn this lesson. Thank you for sharing.
I doubt I will ever forget it! I thought it was too good not to share. A lot of my dreams are just bizarre, like the time I dreamed about a new texting system using CSA produce. O_o
OH boy. This is going to stay with ME and it wasn’t my dream. Thank you for sharing. What a terribly uncomfortable but yet beautiful thing
I was so disappointed in myself when I realized (in my dream) what a jerk I had been! Truthfully, I wonder if I would have done something similar in real life.
What a profound, life changing dream. Thank you for sharing
You’re welcome!
Thank you for sharing.
Thank you.
Whoa.
This was so beautifully written. Thanks for sharing.
You’re welcome!
WHOAH!!!! That gave me CHILLS!!
Something for ALL of us to ponder this long weekend away from work!
Thanks for sharing!
Yes, I thought it was something all of us could stand to think about. Have a great long weekend!
I always have whacked out dreams when I eat Doritos.
I love this pope. Even in your dreams.
Writing as an ex-Catholic (note I did not say lapsed), I must say I just love this man. So excited for you that you will actually get to meet him.
Sadly, I won’t get to meet him unless dreams come true. :)
Oops – need to read more carefully. Somehow I read it as you and the teachers at school learning you’d be meeting him, thus the prompting of the dream. I truly hope you do someday!
Just beautiful.
Pope Francis is just what the Catholic Church needs; he is someone we can all emulate.
Jules … I LOVE this!!! What an unbelievable account with God and just maybe, with Pope Francis himself!! It is amazing what he will have you see about yourself or your life when he wants to. I am so glad we have such a warm and loving Pope and that he lives his life in such an honest example of how God wants us to be :-)