Happy are they who stand up for truth with their life
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
By Father Eugene Hemrick | Catholic News Service
An email with the subject line "Philosophy 101" sent by my classmate contained wise sayings with a philosophical twist.
For example, one was, "We should realize that when we have mates, buddies and old friends, brothers and sisters, with whom we can chat, laugh, talk, sing, talk about north-south-east-west or heaven and earth -- that is true happiness!"
Another read, "Don't educate your children to be rich. Educate them to be happy, so when they grow up they will know the value of things, not the price."
And another said, "The nicest place to be is in someone's thoughts."
Looking through each quote, a common denominator becomes apparent: True happiness comes from living wisely.
The day I read them, St. Matthew's beatitudes were the readings for the Mass. "Ah, a more perfect connection between wise living and living the beatitudes cannot be found," I thought.
"Beatitude" means "happy," as in happy are the peacemakers, the meek and those persecuted.
Regarding this last beatitude about those who are persecuted, we might ask, What is happy about being persecuted, or for that matter being meek or a peacemaker in today's violent world?
In speaking of persecution, Christ is teaching us we are happiest when living the truth, but we also must realize that not everyone wants to hear Christ's message, and at times Christ's messenger is killed.
As bloody as the arrival of truth may be, could it be that many of our heart-wrenching anxieties are the result of its absence? Truth helps us live an ordered life by creating trust, confidence and commitment: the principal ingredients of happiness.
When truth is missing, the works of evil are given full reign to raise havoc. Yes, happy are they who stand up for truth with their life!
The same happiness comes from meekness and humility. It is the perfect antithesis to self-centeredness, haughtiness and tyranny: negative ingredients that create unhappiness and disgust.
To be a peacemaker is to desire a world of civility and making people feel at home with one another. How true is the happiness of having friends with whom you can laugh, chat and sing.
Throughout the psalms, the prosperity of Israel is pictured as the Israelites at home with God and one another, which presents us with a beautiful model for countering today's divisiveness.
When moments of unhappiness occur, try meditating on the beatitudes. Taken to heart and looked at philosophically, they contain the perfect ingredients for true happiness.[[In-content Ad]]Related Stories
Friday, September 27, 2024
E-Editions
Events
By Father Eugene Hemrick | Catholic News Service
An email with the subject line "Philosophy 101" sent by my classmate contained wise sayings with a philosophical twist.
For example, one was, "We should realize that when we have mates, buddies and old friends, brothers and sisters, with whom we can chat, laugh, talk, sing, talk about north-south-east-west or heaven and earth -- that is true happiness!"
Another read, "Don't educate your children to be rich. Educate them to be happy, so when they grow up they will know the value of things, not the price."
And another said, "The nicest place to be is in someone's thoughts."
Looking through each quote, a common denominator becomes apparent: True happiness comes from living wisely.
The day I read them, St. Matthew's beatitudes were the readings for the Mass. "Ah, a more perfect connection between wise living and living the beatitudes cannot be found," I thought.
"Beatitude" means "happy," as in happy are the peacemakers, the meek and those persecuted.
Regarding this last beatitude about those who are persecuted, we might ask, What is happy about being persecuted, or for that matter being meek or a peacemaker in today's violent world?
In speaking of persecution, Christ is teaching us we are happiest when living the truth, but we also must realize that not everyone wants to hear Christ's message, and at times Christ's messenger is killed.
As bloody as the arrival of truth may be, could it be that many of our heart-wrenching anxieties are the result of its absence? Truth helps us live an ordered life by creating trust, confidence and commitment: the principal ingredients of happiness.
When truth is missing, the works of evil are given full reign to raise havoc. Yes, happy are they who stand up for truth with their life!
The same happiness comes from meekness and humility. It is the perfect antithesis to self-centeredness, haughtiness and tyranny: negative ingredients that create unhappiness and disgust.
To be a peacemaker is to desire a world of civility and making people feel at home with one another. How true is the happiness of having friends with whom you can laugh, chat and sing.
Throughout the psalms, the prosperity of Israel is pictured as the Israelites at home with God and one another, which presents us with a beautiful model for countering today's divisiveness.
When moments of unhappiness occur, try meditating on the beatitudes. Taken to heart and looked at philosophically, they contain the perfect ingredients for true happiness.[[In-content Ad]]