February 2nd - Reflection

Luke 6:17-26 (NRSV)
The beatitudes in Luke's gospel

He came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea, Jerusalem, and the coast of Tyre and Sidon. They had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. And all in the crowd were trying to touch him, for power came out from him and healed all of them.
Then he looked up at his disciples and said:
"Blessed are you who are poor,
for yours is the kingdom of God.
"Blessed are you who are hungry now,
for you will be filled.
"Blessed are you who weep now,
for you will laugh.

"Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets.
"But woe to you who are rich,
for you have received your consolation.
"Woe to you who are full now,
for you will be hungry.
"Woe to you who are laughing now,
for you will mourn and weep.
"Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets.

Reflection
Are you happy? Are you happy and all of your desires met? I think very few people are ever completely happy. But even with that, it seems there are a couple of paths towards this happiness that people tend to take.

One path is for people who attempt to fulfill their happiness with satisfaction for material goods and for a good reputation in life. To some people this path leads to happiness. A good house, car, boat, and a good job that brings satisfaction and notoriety.

Another path for people is to place their longings in the kingdom of God. A path that is more on a spiritual realm. This world alone can not bring happiness to these people. Only God can bring happiness to these. Reputation won't bring happiness nor all the material goods of this earth can bring happiness.

Jesus speaks to two kinds of people here. And Jesus reminds us that happiness does not come in the materials or reputations alone. Happiness comes through our cry to God to be in our lives. Happiness comes in the journey and relationship we have with our God and Savior as we live and grow in his kingdom. Happiness is when we are with God.

Prayer
Lord, some days are a struggle. Some days the pain is so great I'm not sure if I'll make it through. Some days I think happiness would be a day pain free. But that's not it either. Happiness is in that day I'm with you and your with me in the pain. Happiness is when you're by my side through it all. Thanks for your gift of happiness. --- Amen