are you happy?

Now when Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and He began to teach them.

The Beatitudes

He said:

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
    for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
    for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
    for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
    for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
    for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
    for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."  Matthew 5:1-12

Another version, Good News Translation, of Matthew 5:1-12 reads as follows:

Jesus saw the crowds and went up a hill, where He sat down. His disciples gathered around him, 2 and He began to teach them:

True Happiness

3 “Happy are those who know they are spiritually poor;
    the Kingdom of heaven belongs to them!
4 “Happy are those who mourn;
    God will comfort them!
5 “Happy are those who are humble;
    they will receive what God has promised!
6 “Happy are those whose greatest desire is to do what God requires;
    God will satisfy them fully!
7 “Happy are those who are merciful to others;
    God will be merciful to them!
8 “Happy are the pure in heart;
    they will see God!
9 “Happy are those who work for peace;
    God will call them his children!
10 “Happy are those who are persecuted because they do what God requires;
    the Kingdom of heaven belongs to them!

11 “Happy are you when people insult you and persecute you and tell all kinds of evil lies against you because you are My followers. 12 Be happy and glad, for a great reward is kept for you in heaven. This is how the prophets who lived before you were persecuted."

This version expands my understanding of happiness, adding a refreshing, different perspective. There is fleeting happiness like from eating a double cone of your favorite ice cream, and then there is continuous, unending happiness from belonging to God.  I am so thankful for the Good News, thankful for Jesus. May we never doubt/forget we have an Everlasting Reason to be happy.

Praying peace, comfort and happiness into your day .

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live like we believe it,

veneal