Tuesday
“Sweet Nothing …Nothing at all
Sweet Nothing…
When nothin’ makes me happy
No one does it better than you
Makes me happy”
Peter Mayer/Mac McAnally/Jim Mayer
www.petermayer.com/songs/sweet-nothing
I remember when the Good News Bible appeared in the year 1966. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_News_Bible
One of the remarkable aspects of this particular version was that it translated the word normally translated as "blessed" in the Beatitudes as "happy." There was quite a furor about whether Jesus was actually talking about people being "happy" or not.
I remember lots of caring conversations (well, actually they were arguments) whether or not "blessed" and "happy" were synonymous terms.
Today that debate and conversation seems so innocent and so long ago.
I know and I'm sure you do too, "blessed" people who aren't particularly "happy." Conversely, we all know "happy" people who don't consider themselves to be "blessed." Lent isn't normally a season where we associate "happiness" with most of the proceedings. As a youngster I remember that mid-week Advent services featured cookies and some kind of punch or hot cocoa. However, during Lent we often received a nail at mid-week services and were told to contemplate our sinfulness and responsibility in the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
I've been thinking a great deal about happiness and blessedness these days. I know there are sad times as the writer of Lamentations notes:
"my soul is bereft of peace;
I have forgotten what happiness is;" (3:17)
And yet, there are also times and moments of deep, deep happiness. In fact, Jesus said,
"I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete." (John 15:11) It is truly a blessing to be able to celebrate life and hope.
In fact, just five verses from the previous quote from Lamentations, right in the middle of all that sadness, unhappiness and struggle, these words are confessed and professed:
21But this I call to mind,
and therefore I have hope:
22The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases,
his mercies never come to an end;
23they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
24"The LORD is my portion," says my soul,
"therefore I will hope in him."
25The LORD is good to those who wait for him,
to the soul that seeks him.
Wow, talk about your attitude adjustment. Now, I don't know if that person felt "happy" but they did feel a sense of being blessed. Perhaps the recognition of being blessed leads to happiness and hope.
Rabbi Harold Kushner writes,
"Moses was wise enough to know that people will often disappoint you, that they will be weak and unreliable, that they will forget to thank you, but you must love them anyway. You must do the right thing not for the applause or the reward but because it is the right thing to do, and you must never forget who and what you are really working for. Like the man who visited his Alzheimer's afflicted wife daily, do things for people not because of who they are or what they do in return, but because of who you are." (page 47-78) Overcoming Life's Disappointments
Having the angel "Happiness" wing her way into our lives might just change how we view ourselves and others.
"For some reason, the most vocal Christians among us never mention the Beatitudes. But, often with tears in their eyes, they demand that the Ten Commandments be posted in public buildings. And of course that's Moses, not Jesus. I haven't heard one of them demand that the Sermon on the Mount, the Beatitudes, be posted anywhere."
Kurt Vonnegut
So, today, maybe while you're having the Breakfast of Champions, spend some time
internalizing these words of HAPPINESS and BLESSEDNESS.
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. (Matthew 5)
Happiness 2 U !
rtg
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