Happiness

I was looking back in my "drafts" and realized that there are some posts I never published. I am going to spend the next few days publishing some of them. Here is the first.

There is a great deal of Biblical wisdom about happiness. If you are unhappy (and I know some people that are right now), you should take a look at these passages from the Psalms (I also link to the entire Psalm).

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers. (Psalm 1:1). 

Serve the LORD with fear, with trembling kiss his feet, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way; for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him. (Psalm 2:11-12)

There are many who say, "O that we might see some good! Lift up the light of thy countenance upon us, O LORD!" Thou hast put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound. In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for thou alone, O LORD, makest me dwell in safety. (Psalm 4:6-8)

Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man to whom the LORD imputes no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. (Psalm 32:1-2)

This is one of the most wonderful blessings of all. Yet, it takes genuine humility and repentance and a decisive break with sinful influence of world to receive it. It is not enough to live a worldly life and go to confession occasionally, presuming on the mercy of God.

O taste and see that the LORD is good! Happy is the man who takes refuge in him! (Psalm 34:8)

Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after false gods! (Psalm 40:4)

Blessed is he who considers the poor! The LORD delivers him in the day of trouble; the LORD protects him and keeps him alive; he is called blessed in the land. (Psalm 41:1-2)

Blessed is he whom thou dost choose and bring near,to dwell in thy courts!We shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house,thy holy temple! (Psalm 65:4)

Blessed are those who dwell in thy house,ever singing thy praise! [Selah] Blessed are the men whose strength is in thee,in whose heart are the highways to Zion. (Psalm 84:4-5)
O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man who trusts in thee! (Psalm 84:12)

Blessed are the people who know the festal shout,who walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance. (Psalm 89:15)

Blessed is the man whom thou dost chasten, O LORD, and whom thou dost teach out of thy law. (Psalm 94:12)

Blessed are they who observe justice, who do righteousness at all times! (Psalm 106:3)
Blessed is the man who fears the LORD,who greatly delights in his commandments! (Psalm 112: 1)

Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD! Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, (Psalm 119:1-)

Lo, sons are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warriorare the sons of one's youth. Happy is the man who hashis quiver full of them! (Psalm 127: 3-5)

Blessed is every one who fears the LORD,who walks in his ways! You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be happy, and it shall be well with you. (Psalm 128: 1-2)

Happy the people whose God is the LORD! (Psalm 144: 15)

Happy is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God, (Psalm 146:5)

Discernment of spirits vs. discerning the will of God

The emotivist tendency of U.S. culture makes it easy for Christians to conflate discernment of spirits with discernment of God’s will, esp. if you are of a more charismatic persuasion, because you associate discernment of spirits with an emotional state. This is a misunderstanding, I think, of Ignatian principles, but that is for another post.

The discernment of God’s will is a broader consideration than the discernment of spirits (even in the authentic, Ignatian sense) and includes knowledge of God’s will in general, as well as discernment of His particular will for you. As Fr. Jules J. Toner, S.J. says, “such factors as the signs of the times, the lessons of our own and others’ past experience, and reasonable projection of future consequences from alternative good courses of actions, in order to judge which of those courses of action or options is likely to be ‘more conductive’ to the glory of God.” pp. 12-13.

The will of God for us is expressed in Church teachings, the directives of legitimate authority, and the physical laws of nature and, more broadly, the Natural Law).

A day in the park

We went out to the local county park today for a hike. It was cloudy, damp, and 34 deg. Nonetheless, the path around the lake was crowded with individuals and families taking a hike. Getting out is so important during a pandemic. 

Catholic playing cards

We have a deck of playing cards that has printed on each card some fact about the Catholic Faith or some prayer. The three evangelical counsels are listed on the three of clubs. Below them are the following prayer. I have no idea where this prayer came from; I can't find it on the internet.

In order that a tree may grow, there must be rain.
In order that a soul may rise, there must be pain.
Let not, O Lord, Thy rainbow in my tears be e'er in vain.
But help me in Thy footsteps tread and with Thee, Heaven gain. 

fasting and mercy

Sowing and harvesting seem to be a big theme for me today. I just read in the Gospel of St. Mark the parable of the sower and the seed. It talks about producing fruit thirty-, sixty-, and a hundred-fold.

Then I read one of the Lenten non-biblical readings for the Office of Readings from Peter Chrysologus in which he discusses prayer, fasting, and mercy. This is the pay-quote:

When you fast, if your mercy is thin your harvest will be thin; when you fast, what you pour out in mercy overflows into your barn. Therefore, do not lose by saving, but gather in by scattering. Give to the poor, and you give to yourself. You will not be allowed to keep what you have refused to give to others. 

Ouch.
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