Are You Happy?
6th Sunday of the Year (C)

Antonio P. Pueyo
Reproduced with Permission

A rainbow is beautiful because of its many colors. A person’s happiness is more often due to many factors. He has some possessions that make life more or less comfortable. He has friends and loved ones whose company he enjoys. He enjoys some recognition and status among his peers. He is engaged in a work or occupation that fulfills him. He has a hobby or recreation that relaxes him. He is pleased with the way his life is going. He is thankful that he has enough blessings and some problems to spice up his life.

Action starter: Do you care enough for someone to give up your own comfort?

Happiness viewed in this manner is more realistic. It is the humble acceptance of every bit of blessing that God in His goodness gives to us or sends to us in so many ways. Those who are poor know what happiness is when an unexpected blessing comes their way. A little blessing like food on the table brings happiness. Happy therefore are those who are hungry. The announcement of the Kingdom of God means that hunger is not to be the acceptable and common state of affairs.

Those who weep do so for a reason. They have lost something or someone. Something is missing in their life. They feel alone and lonely. It is not an easy task to bring laughter and joy to someone who grieves. The blessing of laughter comes with the blessing of friendship and companionship. The Kingdom of God is where a person would not feel so abandoned and alone.

Persecution can be a blessing. This is a reminder that happiness is not just a matter of comfort, convenience, and sunny days. Happiness goes deeper than these. There is happiness in suffering for the sake of a beloved. We honor martyrs and heroes. There is happiness in sacrifice. When Jesus said, “A man can have no greater love than to lay down his life for his friends” (Jn. 15:13), it could also mean, “A man can have no greater happiness than to lay down his life for his friends.”

The more enduring kind of happiness is due to love. Most blessed are those who are willing to lose comfort, status, wealth, and even life so that others may live. This is what the Kingdom of God is all about.

Those who love are happy and blessed.

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