God’s Formula for Happiness.

Homily for June 12, 2017
 
Our responsorial psalm this morning sums up our readings beautifully by saying: I will bless the lord at all times. (Psalm 34:2). Honestly, there are moments in the life of any Christian when it is almost impossible to praise God.

These are the times we begin to wonder if God is still there for us, moments when our faith is put to the test and it seems as if the world now has an upper hand over us.

Another way of understanding the beatitudes is by reading them meditatively replacing the world “Blessed” with “Happy.” By so doing, Jesus’ message in today’s Gospel passage comes out powerfully.

You would notice that in each of these beatitude, Jesus demands something from us, something that ordinarily would not produce happiness according to the standard of the world.

Yet Jesus is telling us that it is precisely in those things that the world turns off that our happiness is contained.

Be poor in spirit, be humble and docile, don’t assert yourself over others, you will be happy.

It is okay to mourn, you may not win all the time. For instance, for being honest, you may have to lose money but don’t worry, you will be happy.

Be meek, allow people take you for a ride, don’t fight anyone, you will be happy.

Be hungry and thirst for righteousness, not just for food and drink, you will be happy. 

Be quick to forgive people, don’t carry any grudge in your mind, think only positive things about others, be merciful, and you will be happy.

Be pure in your heart, delete anything immoral from your inner space, you will be happy.

Be a peacemaker, fight for unity not for division, settle people when they quarrel, don’t pick up quarrels with others, you will be happy.

You may be persecuted for righteousness' sake, but don’t worry, you will be happy in the end.

For being a good person, people will revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you. Just remain a good person. Don’t give up on your goodness, you will be happy. 

Now, do you get the message? Read through the beatitudes again, slowly and meditatively. Think about what Jesus is demanding from you and those times you actually followed this path only to find happiness rather unexpectedly.

If at all we suffer, it is for good. God does not really desire that we should live in suffering and pain but sad experiences do occur in our lives just so that we can comfort people in their pain.

That is to say, SUFFERING MAKES US STRONG. This is what St. Paul teaches in the first reading today. His prayer for us is that should we ever suffer, may we also enjoy consolation at the end.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, may I follow the path of happiness you have laid down for me. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Monday of the 10th Week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: 2 Corinthians 1:1-7 and Matthew 5:1-12).

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