Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed

"God has placed in the heart of every man and woman an irrepressible desire for happiness, for fulfillment…. have the courage to be happy” – Pope Francis: (Message for the 30th World Youth Day)

Gospel Text: (JN 16:20-23)

Jesus said to his disciples:

“Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn,

while the world rejoices;

you will grieve, but your grief will become joy.

When a woman is in labor, she is in anguish because her hour has arrived;

but when she has given birth to a child,

she no longer remembers the pain because of her joy

that a child has been born into the world.

So you also are now in anguish.

But I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice,

and no one will take your joy away from you.

On that day you will not question me about anything.

Amen, amen, I say to you,

whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you.”

The happiness that we seek is in Jesus Christ and is rooted in him. Our hearts yearn for our Creator and the happiness He brings. This kind of happiness comes from a relationship with Jesus Christ, living as a servant for others, being an example using the beatitudes and proclaiming Christ crucified through our daily lives. These actions may not cause us to have the “happiness” that we see on TV or on Facebook, but they will help us to attain true happiness in the end. What today’s Gospel is reminding us of is that there is something much greater ahead of us.

So as we go about our day, let us keep in mind the kind of happiness we are seeking. Even though it may not look like everyone else’s version of happy, we are on the path to eternal happiness.

“Only He who made man can make man happy.” St. Augustine