One tool I often use in evangelization is to appeal to the
desire for happiness. Every person
wants to be happy and makes choices that they think will make them happy.
But
in our Catholic tradition we must first understand the sort of happiness we are
talking about because the word happy
can be used in all sorts of ways.
I may be happy when I go for a walk outside. I am happy when the Twins win. I will be happy when I am no longer Fr. Rich’s indentured
servant.
When
we speak of happiness according to the Gospel message, we are actually referring
to blessedness—a state of peace, joy and contentment that is deeper than
feelings. The Latin word used in
the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5 is beatus and this is why we call Jesus’ list the Beatitudes.
Notice
that Jesus’ teaching refers to something deeper than emotions: we are called
blessed when we are poor in spirit, meek, merciful, peacemakers and persecuted—all
of which may be lived out despite difficult human emotions.
Trusting
in God, we can live blessed lives despite negative challenges from the world,
our own fallenness or evil itself.
The same God who miraculously fed Elijah with ravens offers us the grace
to enter into His peace even in the midst of turmoil.
May
we live blessed lives and experience the happiness—the beatitude—that only Christ can give.
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