don't worry be happy

1 Kings 17:1-6; Psalm 121 Our help is from the Lord who made heaven and earth; Matthew 5:1-12

We all search for happiness. We long to experience happiness in our life. But seldom do we stop to ask the question, what is happiness? what does happiness consist of? What will make me happy?

Most of the time we equate happiness with feeling "good" as they say, as if emotional contentment is all there is in this life we live.

So what is happiness? What is this elusive reality that seems to haunt us, beckon at us, and drive us mad? Perhaps insanity is the answer to the question.

Every time we gather at the mass, around the altar just before we receive communion the consecrated host is elevated for all to see and the words of the priest echo forth, "Behold, the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, happy are those who are called to his supper."


There is that word, elusive yet within our grasp, "Happy are those who are called to his supper."

It seems not only do we want to be happy but God also desires our happiness. In fact he goes out of his way to make the path of happiness known. This happiness is about a relationship with Jesus, whom we seek to have communion with.

The beatitudes we encounter today from the mouth of Jesus speak of happiness, "blessed" in greek means happy.

When you look at those who are blessed, it should strike us as unusual; blessed are the poor in spirit, those who mourn, meek, hunger and thirst for righteousness, merciful, clean of heart, peacemakers, those persecuted, those insulted...rejoice and be glad.

But in reality the Beatitudes simply paint the face of Christ himself. JEsus is the one who embodies the beatitudes in his life; he is poor in spirit, merciful, clean of heart, persecuted and insulted and all the rest. When we live out the beatitudes we see the face of Christ.

Sounds like a pathway to happiness. It certainly is unorthodox when compared to secular society who tells us to be selfishly driven. The secular society who promises the world with creative and sexual ingenuity, where the pleasure principle seems to dominate, yet why are so many people depressed and on pills, why aren't they happy.

The wrong path can never be made right.

"Happy are those who are called to his supper." The pathway of happiness goes through Christ, it isn't contentment but much deeper and longer lasting.

Rethink the beatitudes, spend time with them today and see if you can begin to piece together a pathway to happiness, a pathway to the beatitude itself, life on high in Christ.