One of the most important thing for us human beings is to be happy; what is the point of having whatever you have in life if you are not happy? But after all, what makes you happy? This question does not have an easy answer. Different people seek happiness in different things, and it is not the first time that someone has been left disappointed after wasting much energy and time seeking happiness in someone or something, only to realise later that they were deceived.
Today's readings speak to us about happiness. In today's Psalm, we heard, "Blessed is the man who does not follow the advice of the wicked... but delights in the law of the Lord." According to today's Psalm, true happiness is found in keeping the law of the Lord, that is, the Ten Commandments. In the first reading, Jeremiah takes it a step further: "Cursed is the man who trusts in human beings, who seeks his strength in the flesh, and whose heart turns away from the Lord... Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in the Lord." Here, the prophet tells us that the blessed man is not just the one who follows God's law, but rather the one who trusts in the Lord. This is interesting because the prophet is telling us that it is in a personal relationship with God that one finds true blessing.
All this does not mean that those who choose the Lord first and above all in their lives will have everything go smoothly. It is a childish faith to expect that because you believe or practise your faith, God will act like a magician who follows you around and solves every problem that arises with a wave of a magic wand. To believe means to trust that God is with you throughout the journey of life, to believe that He supports you in life's difficulties, and to believe that He can bring good even out of the most negative experiences. A believer must accept that they will not always understand God, and so, even though they may have many questions in life, they always keep in mind what Psalm 23 says: "Even though I walk through the valley of darkness, I will fear no harm, for You are with me."
Today's Gospel appears to contradict the way we usually think. How can someone who is poor, hungry, weeping, or persecuted because of Jesus be happy? On the other hand, Jesus warns the rich, those who are satisfied for now, those who are laughing for now, and those who are praised by everyone because the cause of their happiness is short-lived, and therefore, so is their happiness. Jesus is not glorifying misery, sadness, or hunger here, but He is telling us that those who are too attached to worldly things cannot attach their hearts to Him. The poor and the hungry are those who use worldly wealth for their own good and for the good of others, but above all, their hearts are tied to God and filled with love for others. Those who, despite suffering, are happy are those who set aside a world of frivolity and pleasure to choose what the Lord wants from them, even if others do not understand them. It is this life that leads to the joy of the Risen Christ, as St Paul tells us in the second reading—a joy, or rather, a peace of heart that begins in this life but reaches its fullness in eternal life.
Lord, give us the courage to reject the selfish happiness that the world offers and to seek only the peace of true love that comes from You alone. Amen.