HOMILY FOR SATURDAY OF THE TWENTY-SIXTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A.
HOMILY THEME: HOW TO GAIN ENDURING HAPPINESS.
BY: Fr. Evaristus Abu
HOMILY:
Have you considered what the Bible says about happiness? How we can find it and make it ours permanently? Today’s first reading from the prophet Baruch is one of the many places where the Bible exposes the secret truth about human happiness. It says:
“As your hearts have been disposed to stray from God, turn now ten times the more to seek him; For he who has brought disaster upon you will, in saving you, bring you back enduring joy.” Baruch 4:28-29.
The truth cannot be more than this: ONLY GOD HAS WHAT IT TAKES TO REALLY MAKE US HAPPY. Only God, who created us has the key to our happiness. “Our hearts are restless” says St. Augustine “until they rest in God.”
Baruch says, the reason for our sadness, misery and pain is because we turned our backs on God and refused worship him wholeheartedly. In this 21st century, we have turned to other gods (immorality, wild passions, materialism, corruption, etc.), in search of that which only God can give us.
What we do not realise is that our inner restlessness is not as a result of a lack of things that provide us relaxation but a lack of connection with the Divine. Even though we gather all the pleasurable things in the world, even though we make all the money in the world, even though we become the most powerful persons in the world, we would still be terribly UNHAPPY if we lack that connection with God.
The best we can ever get, away from God, is a tickling of our senses, an ignition of our erogenous regions and a return to our animalistic nature, but as to genuine happiness, No Way!. True joy is connection with God.
See how the seventy-two disciples of Jesus came back in today’s Gospel passage to give a report of their exploits. They were really happy and hear what Jesus says to them: “Do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you; but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10, verse 20.
Nothing should or can bring you greater happiness than knowing that based on your lifestyle on earth, your name is written in heaven. What is the point of our all struggles here on earth if at the end of it all, we are not certain whether or not we would rest peacefully in heaven? What else can bring greater happiness than spending quality time before God in prayer and having a deep sense of peace and inner calmness?
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, keep my heart with you always that I may always remain happy. Amen.
Our Lady of the Rosary: Pray for us. (please try to pray the rosary today).
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Saturday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Baruch 4:5-12, 27-29 and Luke 10:17-24).
