WHAT IS HAPPINESS?
19th Sunday after Pentecost
October 3, 2010
Rev. Barry W. Szymanski, J.D.
First Congregational Church of Wauwatosa
GOSPEL: Matthew 5:1-12
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:
‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
‘Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
‘Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
‘Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
‘Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
SERMON
Throughout history people have designed utopias. These are the ideal societies that people envision where people live in perfect communities. Everyone living in a designed utopia is a happy person. There are no jails. There is poverty, no rude behavior; there are no problems. Yet we know that, often, happiness seems elusive. No matter how bright and optimistic we desire to be, we cannot always be cheerful. But is being cheerful the same as joy? Is contentment the same as happiness?
Each of us has a different idea of happiness. In fact, each of us has a different idea of what a utopia should be. Because we differ so much in our opinions, consultants who work with executives to coach them on how to work with customers during sales lunches tell them to absolutely avoid politics. One of the reasons they drill that into executives is that each of us has a different idea of our political utopia. And, in this church this morning, if we took a survey, we would wind up with as many opinions of how to achieve happiness as there are people in this congregation.
When approach election years, whether on local, state or national levels, all of the political issues become headlines. And our politicians tell us they, or their opponent, voted on – or will be voting on – for many of them are hot topics.
Why? Because each of us has ideas on how we are to live. Our ideas often differ from the ideas of our neighbors. That is not bad by itself. The problem is when we want to impose our ideas on others – and they vehemently disagree with us! Now, understand that there are overall moral and ethical principles. But the application of moral and ethical principles may, in some circumstances, vary.
The purpose of this message is not to become mired in circumstantial morality. We often have enough trouble accepting the person who is rudely yelling into their cell phone at the table next to us at a restaurant. Where can we look to learn of guiding principles? As followers of Christ we have a person who we are following. As his followers we know that Jesus, our Christ, died for us. In dying for us he redeemed us. His suffering was immense. His love was immeasurable. Yet in all of the stories he told he never spoke of his love for us – or of his coming suffering or redemption. He also never spoke of who planted the garden of the Kingdom of God – either on earth or in heaven. What he did when he told us his stories is to describe how His Father’s Kingdom grows!
As part of our Baptism, we are invited to share in that growth! In the story of the prodigal son we are told that the son eventually decides that his pride is not leading to his happiness and decides to discard his pride. He returns to his father. And his father accepts him back. Jesus never gives a hint of who is responsible for the grace of the conversion of son. Jesus never tells us that His Father’s grace was always present to the prodigal. What Jesus does tell us is that the father forgave and accepted his prodigal child. Jesus tells us throughout his stories of the love of His Father – and of how we should glorify His Father.
As we listen to the stories of the servant who was merciless to the other servants, or the story of the evil and murderous vine-dressers, or the stories of the parties and banquets, we continually learn of His Father’s love – and mercy – and forgiveness. Jesus never mentioned his love – BUT he proved his love when he showed us his love though his life and death. Yet, as told us in the Gospels, Jesus did have occasions when he did try to explain what his stories were about.
One of these times was recorded in the Sermon on the Mount, which he spoke to a large crowd. Another time was his farewell discourse when he spoke to his closest followers. If we were present when Jesus delivered that Sermon, or as we are present today when only a part of that Sermon was read, we hear that the message of Jesus appears simple to listen to.
Yet on reflection, and especially when we try to put it into action, we find that it takes great effort to live. That is when we come to the realization that God’s grace is necessary – and is available. Jesus’ Father, our Father, is responsible for the grace through, and because, of which we can approach our God. In the stories that Jesus told we learn by symbols. When Jesus preached, we learn by content. Therefore we learn about the Kingdom of God through the different symbols and content paths which all lead us to our infinite God.
This morning I want to focus on information-packed lines as recorded in what we call Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. We all want happiness. Psychologists tell us that no matter what we do in life, we are searching for happiness. Our universal goal of life is happiness. We gravitate toward happiness. Whether we buy a new lamp for our home, or a pet dog, cat or hamster, or go to a favorite restaurant, or buy a new jacket, or get a TV or car or go to a movie, we are seeking happiness.
It is apparent when a baby is happy. It is also evident when a baby is unhappy. A happy baby smiles and eyes sparkle and even the baby’s entire body reacts when happy. An unhappy baby who is wet, frustrated, or hungry cries loudly -- and the baby’s entire body manifests the disapproval the baby has with life. An adult who allows him- or her-self to be involved in road rage is really seeking happiness. The road-rage-adult is not concealing his or her personal frustrations. Just like a baby who cries because it is unhappy, so the horn-blowing road rage addict is showing his or her displeasure at life. An adult who allows themselves to become impaired by the anger of road rage -- or by alcohol or drugs or wealth – is weak. Why? Because they are impaired. They are not standing up as a person. They are seeking happiness, but their search is taking them to impairment. While their goal in seeking happiness is to be a full, complete person, instead they ultimately find misery.
So, in our search for happiness, what, if anything, can we learn from the person we follow? Did Jesus give us his recipe for happiness? The answer is yes. But do we really try to understand his message? Do we really accept his message? Do we really see the great wisdom in what Jesus taught? Jesus did not give us his message of happiness by concealing it in a story, nor did he make it ambiguous. It is not an obscure message. It is a clear, understandable, and evident message. And it is great wisdom, for it is divine wisdom. It is the wisdom of Jesus who was, as C.S. Lewis said, 100% man and 100% God. The problem is that it is most often a difficult message for us to follow. We are humans living in a world of good and evil; a world of light and darkness; a world of love and apathy and hate. A world in which people can rise to the heights of divine love, or sink to the level of great sin.
We have choices. Yet, as Jesus’ stories tell us, one after another, God’s grace is always there for us. All we have to do is accept his loving grace. During Jesus’ life he healed both body and soul. When he healed the bodies of those people he came in contact with he was proving that he was also healing their souls. It is so apparent that Jesus wants us to know of his love – and of his power – and of his redeeming grace! Jesus was fulfilling the prophecy of Jeremiah: [Chapter 31:31, 33b]
I am going to take the easy road and talk about the more understandable beatitudes first. By the way, the word, beatitude is latin for bliss, and bliss is not just translated as happiness, but as ‘complete happiness’ as in paradise or heaven. So when Jesus is explaining the beatitudes, he tells us that if we live these precepts we are really in paradise! Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Jesus told us that people who are merciful are blessed; that is, people who show compassion are happy. Who are unhappy people? Those who are cruel are unhappy; and those who refuse to forgive are unhappy.
But back to those who show mercy, that is, the merciful. Jesus tells us that if we show mercy, we shall be shown mercy. When Jesus taught us the Lord’s Prayer, he told us to pray that we be forgiven of our debts and wrongs, just as we forgive the debts and wrongs of others. Jesus tells us that as we forgive, we shall be forgiven. This is mercy! And it cannot be made any clearer. For if we refuse to forgive another person, then how can God forgive us? If we refuse to grant mercy, how can God grant us mercy? Yet the reward is so evident: As we give mercy, we shall obtain mercy!
As members of Christ’s Body we are His hands and feet and ears and eyes and mouth upon this earth, and when we show mercy, we are reflecting His mercy. When we act mercifully and forgive, we, made in the image of God, are imitating God’s qualities. When we love in mercy, we can be happy in the serenity of knowing that we are truly serving God in His image! [2nd Great Commandment: Love neighbor as oneself!]
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Jesus said people who are meek are blessed. That is, people who have a mild disposition are happy. Those who are gentle with themselves, gentle with others, and gentle with God, will be filled with joy. Who are the unhappy? The arrogant and angry are unhappy.
This beatitude is easy to understand. We observe that angry people are generally miserable people. And those who are arrogant are generally discontent, even depressed. What Jesus tells us, is that to avoid being sad and melancholic, we should be gentle with ourselves, others, and God. Jesus says that the reward of being meek and mild is to inherit the earth. What is the earth? To inherit the earth is to be part of the world. To share in the world. Not to be arrogantly above the world, or sinfully below the world, but to be part of it. To be holy with it. To be holistic with it.
For example, a person who is kind to children and animals is part of the world. That person has inherited the world. A kind person is moderate in what he or she does. There is no unnecessary force used. For example, a moderate employer will try to give gentle reprimands and corrections to employees. If an employee needs to be terminated, then a moderate employer will attempt to be kind during that firing -- and not be overbearing or rough. In life, studies have shown that kind, mild, gentle people tend to have fewer medical problems than people who are type-A ---- like me! And when Jesus speaks of inheriting the earth, he is also talking about the Kingdom of Heaven!
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Jesus told us that blessed are the poor, and the poor in spirit. The unhappy are those who think that possessions and money are all they need in life. Jesus teaches that wealth and possessions, by themselves, do not make us happy. As a matter of truth, often the act of giving gives greater pleasure than owning!
Jesus teaches that a person who lacks worldly things can still be blessed. That the joy of the soul is much more important than owning stuff. In fact, owning stuff can create a selfishness which engenders even more greed. What is interesting is that a person who is poor can be greedy – and a person of substantial wealth can also be guilty of greed. A person who is poor can be happy, and a person of wealth can be poor in spirit and be happy. Jesus is really addressing our attitude toward money and things. A person who is poor in spirit is content with knowing that God gives and God takes away – but that our souls are the most important part of what we have – of who we are!
All people, whether poor or extremely wealthy, can have a willingness to give of themselves, and what they own, to help alleviate the distress of others. Jesus tells us that happy are those who are poor and poor in spirit – for theirs is the Kingdom of God. This is the Kingdom of his Father. The everlasting Kingdom of redeemed love. The everlasting Kingdom of pure joy. The poor in spirit are not trapped in owning stuff – they realize and prioritize what is true joy – God’s Kingdom, both on earth as it is in heaven!
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. When Jesus said that those who hunger after what is right are blessed, he spoke of the happiness of those who see the wisdom of discerning right from wrong. Jesus spoke of the satisfaction of those who are willing to be just, to provide for justice.
Justice is what is right with the world. Justice is fair play with our neighbor. To be right with God is the just thing to do. The unhappy are those who do wrong. Those who are not right with themselves, nor right with other people, not right with God, are the unjust. This concept of injustice is the same concept as not-being-right with others.
As Paul, the epistle writer reminds us, we seek righteousness with God. Therefore the hunger is not for food, but for the good that God is. These blessed people are like people on a hot summer afternoon who are thirsting and hungry - but not for a brat and a drink - but to be right with God. And what is the reward? The reward is to be filled with God’s loving grace! Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Jesus teaches us that those who mourn are happy. This, at first glance, seems like a tremendous contradiction. How can a person who is sad be happy?
Please understand that Jesus is not talking only about the sorrow and distress of this world. Jesus told us that “Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted.” When Jesus spoke of comfort, he did not tell us that if we cry that we shall receive a comfortable pillow on a comfortable bed or a comfortable recliner. Jesus, in telling us about his Father’s Kingdom tells us that those who are saddened over the wrongs of this world are blessed. Those who are sorry that they have sinned and mourn over their sins, shall be comforted – both in this world and in the next.
Jesus tells us that those who see the evil and malice in the world and mourn over the lack of love of God and neighbor, will receive comfort from His Father. The unhappy are those who cannot see their sin, their evil, their malice -- and if they do, don’t care! Jesus tells us that their wrongs will not be consoled – and that His lack of consolation will occur both in this world – and in the next!
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Jesus teaches us that those who are pure of heart are happy people and the reward is absolutely clear: they shall see God. What do we want more than anything in life? To see God, to know God, to touch God, to be with God, to understand God. Jesus cannot make this any clearer: if you want to see God, you must have a pure heart. Paul, in his epistles, tells us that after death we shall no longer see God “in a mirror or obscurely, but face to face”, and that our human nature shall be transformed. And he also tells us that “what eye has not seen or ear heard, what man’s heart has never conceived” will be ours.
But purity is often thought of in only one dimension, which is unfortunate because then the full force of this beatitude is lost. For the unhappy people of this beatitude are the sinful people whose lives are contaminated with impure motives and impure desires of all types. It has been said that Shakespeare could not have written his plays -- and we would not be as interested in his plays --- were it not for greed, avarice, lust, gluttony and so forth. Therefore to be pure is to be free of any pollution of the soul, but, instead, to be open to God.
Put another way, we cannot see the light radiating from God while wearing dark glasses. If we want to see God’s True Bright Light, then we cannot remain in darkness. If we walk in the light of God, with purity of heart, mind and soul, we shall see God, both now, and always! Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Jesus teaches us that those who are peacemakers are happy people. The unhappy are those who always want to fight, who are aggressive, who are violent.
What is peace? It is harmony. It begins with calm within oneself. If we cannot have a sense of quiet within our own heart, soul and mind, then we cannot extend peace to others. Peace is also harmony with others. Because of the Sunnis, Shiittes, Hazbolah, and the Cherry Street gang and the Vice Lords, and angry spouses and angry parents, and angry children, there is a need for peace between people. Peace is also serenity with God - not being upset with God, -- but rather understanding and accepting God’s will. Jesus tells us that if we are peaceful and in harmony, we are children of God. We are already living in God’s house. We accept God as our parent.
We pray, in the Lord’s Prayer, that God’s Will be done. This is a prayer to be in harmony with God. To be at peace with God. To live in peace with God is not to be disturbed by anything that the world throws against us. We become content with God’s will for us. We relax knowing that God will take care of us, because we are his child.
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven; and Blessed are you, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for they persecuted the prophets which were before you.
Lastly, Jesus assures the blessedness of those who are persecuted because they stand up for what is right -- and especially if it is for the sake of Jesus. Jesus wants us to know of the joy that is offered to us if we keep trying to follow his teachings.
The beatitudes which Jesus gave to us seem to be the opposite of common sense. But when Jesus tells us that he is the way, the truth, and the life, and we accept that He is truly God and truly man, then we take upon ourselves his teaching. When Jesus says he is the way, he tells us that how to be truly human as he was truly human, then the beatitudes make sense because they are the path we must follow on the way to truth – which lead to a good life here on this earth and to everlasting life afterwards.
Let us pray:
Lord, we learn through our hearing of your Gospel that you want us to be a joyous people, a happy people, a people who know that the kingdom of heaven is ours, that you want to comfort us, that you want us to inherit the earth, that you want to fill us with good things, because you are a God of mercy, and you call us your children. Lord, we pray for your divine grace to understand that worldly common sense is not enough, give us your divine grace so that we may, in your holy name, show mercy, act gently with ourselves and others, and you. Lord, may we have the strength to hold our possessions as gifts from you - to be used as you would have us, members of your Body on this earth, use them. Lord, may we thirst to be holy, and be affected by sin and suffering. Lord, our God, we pray that our hearts may be so pure that we grasp your presence in this world, and that we bring calm to a world sorely in need of peace. Lord, we pray for your divine love so that in those circumstances when we are laughed at, or stared at,
or not invited simply because we are your followers, that we understand that persecution is often part of what it means to follow you. Lord, may we realize that through living your beatitudes, your Kingdom will come on this earth as it is in heaven. Amen.