Inspirations at your Fingertips!

How to be eternally happy Luke 16:19-31 We are called in this Lenten season not just to say sorry for all our offenses but to root ourselves in Christ.  In Jeremiah, a selfish person is like a dry scrub in the wasteland while the person who puts his trust in the Lord is like a tree by the waterside. God can see right through our hearts if we are the dry scrub or the flourishing tree; or whether we are the poor man Lazarus or the rich man in the gospel. In the Holy Father Pope Francis' Lenten message, he dwelt exactly on this parable to help us really prepare for our conversion in Christ and attain happiness. First, he reminds us that people are gifts, most especially the poor.  It's an opportunity for us to recognize God's gifts and serve Him through them. Second, he warns us of the blindness of sin that hinders us from becoming truly happy. Third, he encourages us to listen to God's word as our path to holiness and happiness.

Search "beatitudes" in the internet and you'll find this definition: a state of supreme happiness. I don't think that there is an event in our lives when we felt "supreme" or "utmost" happiness.  But Jesus tagged beatitudes to the meek and humble, the poor, sorrowing, and persecuted, and not to those who grew rich by luck or hard work, or to the powerful and influential. I think there is more more than outcasting the rich and the powerful and exulting the poor.  After all, who is the really rich and powerful in this world except those who are blessed in the sight of God. The beatitudes teach us a valuable lesson on choosing the real wealth, peace, and happiness.  For even in sorrowing, the Christian is consoled; even in pain the Christian feels peace.  Even in death, the Christian has life. Only God in Christ could give the Christian real and everlasting happiness.

I believe that far beyond any good work, moral living, or any accomplishment that is worthy in the sight of men are the words from the book of Hebrews 7:25-8:6: "Jesus is living for ever to intercede for all who come to God through him." Have we realized the implications of this sentence?  It is Jesus, only Jesus throughout our lives.  Jesus who is the cause of all life; Jesus who is living forever to intercede for all who come to God through him.  It is only through Jesus that we can come to the Father.  It is only through Jesus that life can be possible.  It is only through Jesus. In today's world where people are dreaming of a better life, of wanting to earn more, to be more, to have more,  it is only through Jesus that all these can be possible and much more besides.  Because if we possess the very heart of Christ, none of these would be as important that what is to come - the gift of Jesus himself and his everlasting love. If we still yearn ...