Tuesday 25 November 2025. Readings: Daniel 2:31-45, Daniel 3:35-39, Luke 21:5-11
“A great God has made known to the king what shall be hereafter. The dream is certain, and its interpretation sure.” (Daniel 2:45)
God still speaks to us today in many ways, sometimes through dreams. God revealed the future of the kingdom to King Nebuchadnezzar in a dream. The king understood that this dream was unusual; he needed to seek an interpretation. Perhaps, because he had been deceived by his officials before, Nebuchadnezzar also requested the content of the dream.
Many prefer to guess and claim that God revealed such an interpretation. So many so-called men and women of God tell lies in the name of God when interpreting their followers’ dreams. Some predict election outcomes, significant events in the coming year, or even football scores, but such predictions prove false. Instead of admitting they lied in God’s name, they insist prayers changed the outcome.
Among all the wise men and spiritual practitioners in the land, only Daniel could tell Nebuchadnezzar his exact dream and offer an interpretation. As St. Paul would say, there are many gifts. Daniel’s gift was the ability to describe and interpret dreams. Try to discover your unique gift and be humble enough to admit when you do not possess a particular gift; avoid deceiving others.
Yesterday, we read how Daniel and the other three Hebrew boys refused to defile themselves by partaking of the so-called rich food from the king’s table. When we are bold enough to stand out from the crowd, we discover our exceptional gifts. No one is without a unique gift. The problem is that we are too busy trying to be everyone else, trying to blend in with the crowd, even when what is popular is against our faith.
Daniel recognised he had a special gift and did not conceal it. Concealing your gifts is not humility; it is timidity. Although Daniel knew the king was not Jewish, he offered to help interpret the king’s dream. He could have kept it to himself, but he chose not to. Your gifts are not meant for yourself; they are intended to benefit others. Rivers do not drink their own waters. Your gifts are not for self-promotion or the suppression of others.
While Nebuchadnezzar’s dream was about the future, we also see Jesus, in our Gospel passage, discussing the future: the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem and the rise of many false prophets claiming they are the Christ. This teaches us one lesson: The only person who knows the future is the one who is already in the future – God. Humans can only guess based on calculations from the past.
Given that we are naturally inquisitive, we are always very eager to know the future. We seem unsatisfied with the present, so our eyes are always fixed on what will happen next. Some philosophers consider this to be insanity. What is wrong with simply enjoying the present moment? Some may argue that if they knew the future, they could prevent accidents or eliminate evil before it occurred. If knowing the future were something good, God would have created us with that ability. Life will be boring if nothing surprises us anymore.
However, when it is absolutely for our good, God gives us glimpses of the future, as in the case of Nebuchadnezzar in today’s first reading. Outside of that, we shouldn’t be preoccupied with the future. In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus warns against hopping from one man of God to another, hoping they will tell you your future. Do not go after them. Do not become a prey to a wolf clothed in sheep’s clothing.
Keep in mind that not every dream is a revelation. Some dreams may be the mind trying to rebalance its most disturbing thoughts; others may be wishful thinking or meaningless pictures. God is not confined to dreams. He could also give you a vision or a sign. There are really no coincidences. If we meditate on the events of our lives, we would observe what God is saying to us.
Remember, no revelation is greater than the Bible. If you haven’t read the Bible, don’t assume your dream will suddenly cancel what God has revealed in His Word through the ages. Do not be so concerned about knowing the future that you forget the present. Jesus says, “Yes, the world will end, but for now, just get busy.” Like Daniel, make full use of the gifts and talents God has bestowed upon you.
Let us pray: Stir up the will of your faithful, we pray, O Lord, that, striving more eagerly to bring your divine work to fruitful completion, they may receive in greater measure the healing remedies your kindness bestows. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Tuesday of week 34 in Ordinary Time, Liturgical Colour: Green. Bible Study: Daniel 2:31-45, Daniel 3:35-39, Luke 21:5-11)
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu