Happiness

There is something unique and special about the Sermon on the Mount which Jesus shared with his Jewish audience many centuries ago in such a simple way somewhere in the small, unacclaimed land of Palestine. Words of wisdom which through the ages speak of the divine gift of love to all, without considering their status and worth.

One can simply read the words over and over again, without commenting about them. They carry their power in themselves. No need to explain them.


Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Bliss, joy and happiness are here associated with people we do not normally consider to be joyful. The poor, those who mourn, the hungry, the oppressed, the persecuted.


In times of adversity, one can still be happy. Happiness cannot be destroyed by those who criticize and insult. It remains with us in the good and the bad times.

Rejoice and be glad! Jesus calls out to the poor of the land who sit before him, listening to this man of love. Experience the bliss, you blessed ones. What you are as the beloved of God, feel it, experience it, live it. You are the ones who should embrace the joy which God grants you. You are the happy ones, not the kings and the emperors and the powerful in the land and the church.

Joy is intricately connected with our experience that God lives with us and in us. And happiness is even deeper because no one can take it away from us. No bitter word, no angry attack, no sneering remark can cut us off from God’s love which lives in us. Happiness is the experience that there is a space in us where God is present in intimate love.

It is something that should not remain words on paper, words in a speech. It should enter our innermost being and remind us that the One who spoke it, is the One who is still murmuring those words from within our hearts to us. Live the joy.