Our readings today speak about something that is of paramount importance. They speak of the human heart’s deepest desire – happiness. All our life is spent in pursuit of happiness. Everything we do is ultimately aimed at gaining happiness. Everyone goes his way in search of happiness; some find it while others don’t. What is happiness?
In the gospel, Jesus teaches the beatitudes as a way to happiness that transcends every difficulty and suffering in this present life. The word beatitude literally means blessedness or happiness. Jesus declares that a man can be happy even when he is poor, hungry, mournful or despised. Likewise, a man can be cursed even while he is rich, full, content and well-regarded.
We see it all around us. We read stories of men and women, great in the eyes of the world, who are rich, famous, and powerful but are also the most unhappy people. On the other hand, we know of people (and there are many close to us), who may not have the best opportunities in life, but are blessed with relationships that are life-giving. Blessed with peace of mind, they sleep soundly at night. What constitutes happiness?
Jeremiah offers an answer in the first reading. Using the image of the tree, he describes the traditional “two ways of life,” often mentioned in the scriptures. The first way is taken by “one who trusts in human beings.” He is cursed, like a barren bush in the desert, all wasted and dried up. The second way is taken by “one who trusts in the Lord, whose hope is the Lord.” He is blessed, like a tree planted beside the waters. Because its roots stretch out to the stream, its leaves remain green, and it continues to bear fruit even in time of drought. This imagery is re-echoed in the responsorial psalm.
The first way is the way of woe. “Cursed is the one who trusts in human beings, who seeks his strength in flesh, whose heart turns away from the Lord.” Putting one’s trust in what is human does not ensure happiness for what is human and material is fickle and fleeting. It does not last and only leads to frustration and failure.
The second is the way of happiness. “Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.” True happiness comes when we trust in God, or more precisely, when we entrust ourselves to him. For when we place our life in God’s hands, what greater security can we have? We may experience hunger, sorrow and distress, but we do not lose heart. Being grounded in him, we know that we can withstand all passing trials.
“Do not fear… you are mine. When you pass through waters, I will be with you; through rivers, you shall not be swept away. When you walk through fire, you shall not be burned, nor will flames consume you.” (Is 43:1-2)
But the deeper reason why surrendering to God is the secret of happiness is because God created us for himself. Such is his infinite love that he wants us to find the only one True and Perfect Good, which is no other than himself.
“In God alone is my soul at rest.” (Ps. 62:1) And so, when man turns away from God, he only turns towards his own perdition. St Augustine discovered this primal truth the hard way. After a long and tortuous search, he could only say, “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.”
Today’s readings elucidate the significance of the Jubilee 2025. We are pilgrims of hope, passing through “this valley of tears.” We may be poor and hungry, distressed and despised now, but we have sure hope of a better tomorrow.
In today’s gospel, Jesus turned the present order upside down. He has inaugurated a kingdom which reverses all common expectations and ushers the greatest reversal of all – death leads to life. The second reading tells us that as Jesus has been raised from the dead, so also shall we, who follow him. Jesus is our hope.