The Way of Happiness

 When Jesus saw the crowd, he taught them with these words: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people persecute you and tell evil lies about you for being my followers. Rejoice and be glad for your reward is great in heaven! The prophets who went before you were persecuted in the same way." (Matthew 3: 5-13)

Let me begin this blog by giving you an alarming fact. According to World Health Organization suicide is the leading cause of death among those aged 15- 24. Nearly a million commit suicide each year more than to those murdered or killed in war. Worldwide, a suicide is completed every 40 seconds. Most of the reasons are financial difficulties, relationship problems, drug abuse and severe depression. Global annual teenage suicide statistics, reported for these fatalities could rise to 1.5 million by 2020.

Most notes and letters indicate that those who committed suicide doesn't see any reason for them to live. They feel uselessness and despair in the emptiness of their lives. They feel happiness is already out of reach and the sole choice for them is to die.

In the Gospel, Jesus proclaims how wonderful life is. He began his ministry by allowing the people to see the beauty of life when they become his disciples. True happiness according to Christ is different from the way the world sees it. Happiness according to Christ is not for the rich, the famous and powerful nor for the scribes and Pharisees at that time who feel their close relationship to God based on obeying the Law.  Instead,  Jesus calls as blessed those who are poor who relied solely on God for help and to those who obtained the attitude of  the true children of God.

This Gospel is also read on All Saint's Day since these words of  Jesus clearly describe how saints and the  heroes of our faith lived. They were ordinary citizens, some of them were obscure and become famous only after their death. Some of them haven't done what the world considers as great deeds. They simply lived according to their duties and achieved happiness in this life and in life after.  There is no saint reported who felt despair nor has any complains about life. They understand pain, sorrow and problems but they see the beautiful side of  them. Some of them may not have intelligence like the philosophers or theologians but they gain wisdom by their simple attitude like an evangelical child.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Jesus proclaims as blessed those who accept that they are nothing without God's grace. They are the persons devoid of pride--- those who rely solely in their own thinking and abilities. Jesus says that unless we become humble, we hinder God's grace to work in us. For example, the person who believes that he knows a lot and begins to belittle persons around him. He doesn't open himself to new ideas and lessons that he can learn from other people. Having the feeling of "richness in spirit", he has the attitude of a Pharisee in the Gospel of  Luke (18:9-14). He feels superior in the eyes of God and despises everyone else. But in the end, God favors more the persons he despises than him. He that is humble allows God's richness to supply him and thus lead him to true conversion which then leads to the reign of God in his life.

"Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted." Jesus does not call as blessed those who mourn because of despair, rather those who mourn because of their misery and sins. They also mourn for the misery of others. These "mourning" leads them to ask God for forgiveness and rely on God to help him change his life, as well as the life of others.


"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." The meek is actually one of the attitude of an evangelical child. (If you have read my second post "Unless You Acquire the Heart of a Child..."). The meek is happy even in the face of difficulties and hardships. It is because he feels that everything he has is owned by God. So, he believes that even if something happens in his work, studies, money or relationships, it is always for the better. He relies on God's will in his life thus he obtains peace.

 "Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied." Those who have a deep desire for holiness are the only ones who will obtain it. It is true for all virtues. We often say that we want to be an example to our friends at work or school but oftentimes, we do not have that great desire to change our ways that is why we do not become what we wish to be. Jesus describes it as "hunger and thirst" meaning, it must be our continuous desire as if we cannot live without doing what is right. It must be our ultimate goal in life. St. Paul also clearly states it: "Work out your salvation with fear and trembling." (Philippians 2:12)


"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy." This was also taught by Christ in the Lord's Prayer: "Forgive as our sins as we forgive those who sins against us." It also refers in how should we treat our brothers and sisters especially those who need help whether materially or spiritually. Since we feel the love of God as we also love the people he loves. And it is whether they are related to us or not, whether they are our friends or enemies.


"Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God." I remember the story of an elementary student in a Values Education class. They were asked to draw in a sheet of paper a description of their life in the present. Then, they will explain their drawings in front. The student then went in front of the class holding a blank sheet of paper. The teacher was angry since the student haven't done anything. But the student replied, "I am like this sheet of paper, malinis ang pagkatao." We obtain happiness if we have hearts pure of any evil and selfish desires. Because the Holy Spirit, the Cause of our Joy doesn't dwell in the hearts who desire riches, honor and fame to the expense of others.


"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God." Living a peaceful life, they share it to others. Peace doesn't mean the mere absence of conflicts and war, rather, it is a life of order, unity and friendship. They are the persons who spread God's message to others by their example and through words if necessary. Thus they imitate God who creates friendship between man and Himself. They are rightly be called his children.


"Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Being a follower of Christ doesn't always guarantee an instant happiness. It also entails difficulties. St. Teresa of  Avila said that Jesus has only few friends since it entails being nailed to the cross like him. We might hear false accusations or bad words as we follow and serve Christ. Sometimes it may even be from our families or the persons we love. But Jesus assures us that we will be rewarded the kingdom of heaven! That means God reigns in us and we are happy after all.


Jesus shows us the way to happiness. It is not elusive. It is in the attitude that we have towards God, towards others and towards life. The Beatitudes that Christ proclaims leads us to genuine freedom, knowledge of our worth, loving relationships with others and the sense of meaning in life. It is true happiness, not just a passing pleasure, but the joy giving us faith and hope in this life as we await the Perfect Happiness which is far more than we can ever imagine. "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him!" (1 Corinthians 2:9)