The Beatitudes

1 Cor 7:25-31 
Luke 6:20-26

Are you happy? Are you really happy? What does happiness mean for you?
It was the famous philosopher Aristotle who once said that happiness is the ultimate end and purpose of human existence. This means that to act otherwise would lead us in the opposite direction which is the way of unhappiness. The one who trusts in man and relies on things of flesh (the world) is cursed, while the one who trusts in the Lord and relies on hope in Him (God) is blessed. Such a person can truly be happy here and hereafter.

In today’s gospel, Christ began the Sermon on the plain, which parallels the one in Matthew that took place on the Mount. Here in the beatitudes, He gives us the basic conditions of Christian living that can lead us to happiness. The word beatitude itself means happiness or blessedness. In Matthew there are eight beatitudes but in Luke there are four beatitudes and four warnings. These beatitudes remain our only sure path to happiness in life. They do not immune us from the inevitable trials of life such suffering, pain, trials, sickness and death. But then they guarantee us happiness that transcends the momentary difficulties and troubles that weigh us down with grief, adversity and despondency.

Luke’s four beatitudes are emphatic on the concrete life circumstances that we should follow in order to be happy. Hence, the one who has faith and follows them can truly be regarded as blessed. This does not consist in wealth, fame or affluence but in confronting the challenges of living a true Christian life head on even when despised by the world.

They are those who choose to be poor and hungry, who weep and are hated, all for the sake of Christ. Not for any other reason but Christ. They have chosen the better part that shall not be taken from them because their joy will be complete and they shall rejoice and dance for joy on the last day. That is the beauty of these “attitudes” that Jesus presents to us today, that, no matter the sorrow in this life, once we have accepted Him as our Lord and Saviour and we constantly follow in His footsteps, there lies the true Treasure and the prize of eternal life.

With the way and manner you are living now, do you think you will end up in happiness or unhappiness? Why not re-evaluate your choices and resolve to do what you were created by God to do? Have you re-evaluate your choices and resolve to do what you were created by God to do? Then, you will be seeking happiness rather than pleasure because you see life’s true beauty. Do you view death as the end? Such a view can push us to prioritize pleasures here over our true happiness, in the name of enjoyment. Beware! this does not last, and it only leaves us even empty and bitter than we were.

May God Almighty continue to grant us the wisdom and knowledge to always chose Him about all else. May He help us to live those beatitudes recorded in today’s gospel selection, those paths up to a higher elevation. Yes, the going does get tough, but You are always with us.Yes Lord you are!

Fr Joseph