If you asked yourself: "Am I happy?", what would be an honest answer? Many people are more busy than blessed (see Hg 1:6), more stuffed than nourished, and more jaded than exhilarated (see Hg 1:6). The more stuff they get, the more empty they become. They have holes in their pockets and, worse than that, holes in their hearts (see Hg 1:6). We will be happy if we forget our pleasures and try to give God pleasure. We give Him pleasure by seeking first His kingdom (Mt 6:33) and building His house, the Church (Hg 1:8). When we do this, He gives us a share in His pleasures, which truly make us happy. A selfish, pleasure-seeking life is a lonely, compulsive life. A life of giving God pleasure is a life of love and communion. Happiness is refusing to enjoy pleasures alone, without God. Happiness is giving Him pleasure and sharing only in His pleasures. |