don't "do it yourself"
"How blest are the..." —Matthew 5:3
Jesus said that happiness is:
- deciding to be materially poor, at least in some areas of our lives (see Mt 5:3),
- sorrowing for our sins (see Mt 5:4),
- humbling ourselves by taking the lowest places (see Mt 5:5; Lk 14:10),
- desiring holiness more than pleasure, comfort, or prestige (see Mt 5:6),
- giving up our rights in order to show others mercy (see Mt 5:7),
- making the Lord the only Desire of our hearts (Mt 5:8),
- making peace by shedding our own blood rather than that of our enemies (see Mt 5:9; Col 1:20), and
- being persecuted, insulted, and slandered as Jesus was (Mt 5:10-11).
Most people, even many Christians, think that Jesus' ideas on happiness are absurd (see 1 Cor 1:27). However, the happiest people throughout history have been the humble and lowly remnant who have had the faith to live the Beatitudes (see Zep 3:12). Will you make up your own "Beatitudes" only to find out later that you messed up your life and that Jesus knew more about life and happiness than you did? Or will you live Jesus' Beatitudes and find out later how wise you were?
Prayer: Father, make me happy. I will no longer make happiness a "do-it-yourself" project.
Promise: "He has made Him our Wisdom and also our Justice, our Sanctification, and our Redemption." —1 Cor 1:30
Praise: "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Alleluia" (Ps 150:6).
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our tape Beatitudes on audio AV 44-3 or video V-44.)
Rescript: †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, May 28, 2010
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.