God desires for us to be happy!
On this 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time, the Gospel focuses on Jesus’s
teachings about the true source of happiness. Our understanding of happiness,
which is often tied to wealth, comfort, and social acceptance, is challenged. It is
difficult to reconcile happiness with poverty, hunger, or grief. Nevertheless, Jesus
invites us to look beyond material and social standards of happiness to discover
a deeper, more fulfilling joy rooted in divine blessing. This contrast between
worldly happiness and divine joy is a guiding light, leading us toward a deeper
understanding of true happiness.
The first reading from the prophet Jeremiah presents a metaphor of a tree
planted by water, untroubled by drought and consistently bearing fruit. This
imagery highlights the essence of divine blessing. Just as the stream sustains
the tree, we, too, are nourished by God’s love and grace. Complete trust in God,
regardless of external circumstances, is the foundation of authentic happiness.
God’s love sustains us, offers us support and reassures us that we are never
alone. We are warned of the desolation that comes from relying solely on human
strength or material possessions. A life distanced from God is compared to a dry
scrub in wastelands, unable to perceive or receive the goodness surrounding it.
This stark contrast underscores our choice: to embrace God’s blessing or to be
consumed by the world’s empty promises.
God’s love and call to faith are transformative. Through faith, we receive His
love, the source of true happiness and contentment. The journey toward
happiness involves embracing God’s teachings, which often contradict worldly
logic. Jesus, through His life and teachings, breaks the cycle of unhappiness and
self-imposed burdens. He reveals that happiness is not a result of external
circumstances but an internal state granted by God’s blessing. This perspective
reassures us that we can find joy even in adversity, knowing our ultimate
fulfillment lies in God’s promise.
Dear brothers and sisters, God’s desire for our happiness is a fundamental
truth of our faith. He continually offers this gift, encouraging us to open our hearts
to His love and guidance. By doing so, we receive His blessings and become
vessels of His love for others. As we celebrate God’s love, we transform our lives
and the lives of those around us, fostering a community rooted in genuine
happiness and blessings. We are called upon to anchor our lives in God’s love,
trust in His blessings and share that joy with others. By aligning our hearts with
God’s ways, we embrace a happiness that is everlasting and life-giving.Fr. Dominic Toan Tran, Pastor