The True Path to Happiness

This summer we’ve had the joy and excitement of having our kids and grandkids spend time with us up at the lake.  It’s a wonderful blessing to spend time with our children and their families.  Even little squabbles between siblings can be amusing to us grandparents, if not to their exasperated moms and dads.  Watching our adult children discipline their kids is a reminder that parenting is hard and often thankless work.  But as a grandparent it is easier to see the beauty and design of God’s plan for humanity.  We come into this world undisciplined, self-centered, and ungrateful for all that we take for granted.   Two year olds can be veritable tyrants, wanting everything they see, whether it’s good for them or not.  It takes a lifetime to outgrow these tendencies and it would be impossible if not for the love and patience of parents who love us enough to show us the path to happiness. 

Even as adults, despite a lifetime of experience, we all too often think that our happiness is derived from getting what we want.  While it’s true that momentary satisfaction is briefly enjoyable, it is also fleeting, and leaves us yearning for the next thing.  Ancient philosophers like Socrates, Plato and Aristotle believed that true happiness could only be attained by acquiring virtue.  However, the achievement of such an ideal is paradoxical, in the sense that it often requires forgoing the immediate satisfaction of our desires.  Sunday’s second reading points out the importance of discipline:

“At the time, all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain, yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are trained by it.”  (Hebrews 12:7)  

The pain of discipline is just as real for parents as it is for the children being chastised.  In the moment, it all seems futile and frustrating, but over time bad habits are routed out and replaced by temperance, charity, and self-control.

Of course none of us will ever achieve perfection, and there will frequently be lapses in judgment, resulting in misguided words and actions.  Hopefully, the damage we inflict will be minimal, and forgiven by those whom we injure, most often the very people we love the most.  This weekend, Rose and I celebrate our 45^th wedding anniversary and I shudder to think about the many times I’ve failed her in my lack of self-control, or self-centered pride.  Too many times, I’ve given more thought to how I feel or what I thought I needed, rather than her feelings, or her needs.  This is the kind of thinking that leads to anguish and self-pity rather than empathy and understanding.  The truth is, love requires us to make a gift of ourselves by putting the needs of others ahead of our foolish pride.  This is the great paradox of happiness:  when we sacrifice ourselves, we are more likely to find happiness, than when we grasp at everything we think we deserve.  Our greatest concern should not be for our own happiness, but for the inherent dignity and needs of others.  When we succeed in living this worldview, we discover happiness.

Fortunately, it’s never too late to learn this truth about life.  Today’s gospel reminds us that, “some who are last will be first, and some are first who will be last.” (Luke 13:30)   In C.S. Lewis’s wonderful little book, The Great Divorce, a parable about a bus ride to heaven, many of the self-important passengers are surprised to discover that one of the most esteemed people in heaven is a lowly housewife who sacrificed daily to raise and care for her children.  Pride is one of the most insidious sins we can commit because it prevents us from seeing the truth about ourselves.  Perhaps that’s why Jesus said, “Blessed are the meek …”   This runs contrary to modern thought which advocates assertiveness and the absolute right to pursue personal happiness, even if it means violating marriage vows, abandoning your children (unborn and otherwise), and ‘taking what is rightfully yours.’

Getting back to rearing children, the most important lessons are taught, not by words but by actions.  Children will most likely act like their parents because they see and hear everything.  I call our grandchildren ‘sponge-brains’ for this reason.  Perhaps this is why God became human, not merely to talk to us, but to demonstrate what it means to lead a virtuous life.  If we truly love our children, can we do any less? 

The Light of Faith

This Sunday’s readings speak to the challenges of faith and what it means to live our faith in a world that rejects the Word of God.  Jeremiah was plunged into a muddy cistern for speaking the word of God when it was unpopular.   Jesus went to the cross with supreme faith in God His (Our) Father, and in today’s gospel He cautions us that faith can be the source of divisions among people, even family members.  There are many who claim that religion is the cause of all war and bloodshed, but they tend to forget that totalitarian regimes have murdered millions and millions of people in their effort to stamp out religious belief and impose Communism, Fascism or Marxism.

Pope Francis’ first encyclical is entitled Lumen Fidei (The Light of Faith).  In it he, and Pope Benedict XVI who wrote the first draft, address what it means to have faith, to be faithful, and to be open to the Word of God.  The very term “Light of Faith” points to the fact that faith enlightens us and helps us recognize God’s Truth when spoken or demonstrated, as in the case of Jesus and the many saints who followed the example of His life.  This notion of light has intrigued me for years because light is so mysterious, consisting of both energy and mass.  Jesus is often referred to as “the Light of the world,” perhaps because He illuminates the very nature of God.  “When you see me, you see the Father…”

Without light there could be no life.  The stars, each one a sun, are sources of light and energy without which there would be no planets or any life.  Every atom in existence had its origin in a star, including the atoms that comprise our bodies.  The earth revolves about our sun, depending on it for energy, warmth, and of course the ability to see.  We owe our existence to the sun.  At the risk of sounding a bit like a pantheist, what if God’s love has been encapsulated as mass and energy in the form of light?  The light that makes life possible was of course created by God, along with everything else in existence.   We take light for granted, but without it we would cease to exist.  The same is true for the love of God.  If not for Him, there would be no universe, no suns or planets, no life, no human beings and no thought.  God created and sustains us out of love, and perhaps light is the medium through which He accomplishes all this and remains present in our lives.  Could light be the very love of God, in the form of energy and matter, holding us in existence?  Of course, this vastly over simplifies things, and I’m not suggesting that light alone is the source of life as we know it.  God is surely more complex and mysterious than that, having designed the inexpressible complexity of the universe and the diversity of life to the extent we have thus far unveiled it.

The light of faith, is a theological virtue given to us by God, enabling us to perceive His existence. But it is also much more.  Faith opens our eyes to the Truth as revealed by God in scripture and in the life of Jesus.  Combined with reason, faith enables us to understand our true nature and our destiny.  Because we have faith, we know we are loved and that we are called to love.  This light of faith is meant to be reflected in us, by the lives we lead.  The parable about putting a candle under a basket comes to mind here.  But here’s the rub, and the point of today’s gospel: living our faith is meant to be done publically, not just in church.  If we are to reflect the light and love of God into the world, we must be willing to put our faith into action and stand up for what we believe is the common good of humanity.  This will often put us in conflict with the prevailing norms of society and recently, at odds with government policy.   Being faithful means reflecting the light of truth on issues like abortion, marriage, and the dignity of every human being, from the moment of conception to natural death.  Our founding fathers would be shocked to find out that Christians are being forced to act contrary to their religious beliefs.  Many of our long-held beliefs on marriage and family are now being categorized as intolerant and even illegal.  The question each of us must answer is whether or not we are willing to stand up for what we believe about our faith.   The current administration insists that we still have the “freedom to worship,” implying that what we do and say in church is one thing, but living our religious values, when they are opposed to government regulation is unacceptable.  Two hundred years ago Edmund Burke said: “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.”  Burke was a political philosopher and contemporary of our founding fathers, considered by some to be the father of modern conservatism.

The virtue of faith needs to be lived out in everyday life, not just in the pews of our churches.   How strong is your faith?  Is it a private matter, or are you willing to live your faith in the public square?

The Importance of Faith

Sunday’s second reading gives us St. Paul’s definition of faith: “Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen.” (Heb 11:1)  Paul then goes on to cite the faith of Abraham who trusted God and was rewarded with a son, and a nation comprised of his descendants.  Abraham had hoped for a son and descendants, and he realized this hope through the grace of God in whom he had faith.  Faith is important, not as a means to get what we hope for, but because trust in God will transform our lives.  Abraham did not live to see his descendants become a great nation, but his faith molded him into a man of virtue and his faith was passed down to his son, his grandsons and his many descendants. 

St. Paul also notes that faith is “evidence of things not seen.”   There are many things we cannot see, but still believe in, and know to be true.  Foremost among these is love, the animating force of life.  Love gives meaning to our lives, it is the powerful force that brings us together as individuals and families, and in many cases, molds us into a community and a nation.  Love keeps families together, it engenders trust, and forms the cradle in which children learn to become mature, responsible, and principled adults.  It is important to note that faith in God means abiding in His love, and loving one another as He commands us.  Love of family enables us to make the sacrifices necessary to promote the growth and goodness of our children.  Love of country emboldens men and women to make even the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country. 

Over the past few weeks I’ve been reading about George Washington and his amazing contributions to the founding of our country.  Not only did he lead the patriots in defeating the most powerful army in the world, he chaired the constitutional convention and brokered a compromise that enabled Congress to agree on the Constitution.  He served two terms as president, with no precedent for addressing the mountain of problems facing our fledgling nation.  He was an incredible leader and a man of deep faith, upon which he relied continuously, when faced with insurmountable problems.   He was often seen alone and in prayer, and he openly cited Divine Providence frequently when discussing difficult decisions.  Washington also had a prescient awareness of the importance of faith to our country.   Here’s what he said in his farewell address, upon completing his second term as President and declining a third term: “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports… reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.”  

To put Washington’s comments in historical perspective, consider the fact that three years earlier, the French Revolution led to the rejection of religion, in favor of human reason alone.  At one point, a mob seized control of Notre Dame Cathedral, beheading statues and carving the words ‘To Philosophy’ over the age-old stone entrance, in a complete repudiation of  the faith that had been their national heritage for centuries.  Ultimately, the French murdered thousands of clergy and anyone associated with the aristocracy.   Rather than build a republic, guided by the principles of morality, France ended up with chaos and the tyrant Napoleon, who declared himself emperor.

Our own nation now faces a crisis in faith.  National mores have not merely slipped; they’ve been cast aside in favor of human reason that seems to prefer absolute freedom, granted not by God, but by an ever-expanding and intrusive government.  Faith and personal virtue is scoffed at now and considered “right-wing extremism.”  Last week we bestowed the Medal of Freedom on a man who was impeached by congress and held in contempt by a federal court in Arkansas that revoked his license to practice law for having impeded an investigation into allegations that he had committed rape and other lewd acts. 

Is this the Republic for which Washington and so many others made so many sacrifices for so many generations?   Can our nation remain strong when we kill so many unborn children, force employers to violate their religious principles, condone single-parent families, and at the same time trap millions of people in poverty induced by the promises of a welfare state, funding all this with mountains of debt?   Are we seeing the beginning of the end of our once vibrant Republic that was founded on the principle that God endows us with inalienable rights, including the right to life?  Ronald Reagan often warned that our freedom was tenuous, and we could lose it in a single generation.  Is ours the generation that will forfeit the heritage of our founding fathers by casting off our moral underpinnings and succumbing to the soft tyranny of a bloated, immoral government?

These are serious questions each of us must consider.  But we must also have faith.  Just as much of Eastern Europe has cast off Godless Communism, it is entirely possible that God will raise up righteous leaders who will restore our people and our nation’s moral compass.   We must have faith that this CAN be realized, even as we hope for that which is thus far unseen.  Keep the faith!

Sleepless Nights?

How often do you have sleepless nights?  It happens to me occasionally, and whether it’s the cause, or just a side-effect, my mind seems to race on and on, preventing sleep.  This Sunday’s first reading might provide some insight into the cause for sleepless nights:

“For what profit comes to man from all the toil and anxiety of heart
with which he has labored under the sun?
All his days sorrow and grief are his occupation; even at night his mind is not at rest.
This also is vanity.”  (Ecclesiastes 2:21-23)

Psalm 90 reminds us that we all return to dust at the end of our lives.  All the anxiety and toil of our lives is in vain, as Jesus reminds us in the parable of the rich man who was about to die, leaving all his earthly wealth behind.  The Good News however, is laid out in the epistle of Paul to the Colossians:

“Think of what is above, not of what is on earth.
For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
When Christ your life appears, then you too will appear with him in glory.” (Col 3:2-3)

Why is it so hard to keep our focus on “what is above?” In a word: Lies.  We are deceived over and over again in this life, fed lie after lie so seductively that we cannot discern truth, even when it is staring us in the face.  We’ve come to believe so many lies that it is considered naive to believe in the truths revealed by nature, or by the consequences of our actions.  Perhaps the granddaddy of all lies, the one that has wrecked havoc on world culture, is the notion that evil does not exist, and therefore morality is an anachronism of the past.   In the postmodern world, many believe that personal freedom is the only norm by which all acts are judged.  In this scenario, anything that impinges on our freedom to pursue happiness is fair game, including unwanted babies, and spouses who have become tiresome.  In a world without moral guidelines, sex is considered a recreational activity, meant to be enjoyed by everyone, including unmarried teens.  This enjoyment is thought to be an entitlement, unencumbered by any commitment, responsibility, or consequences.  Sexual appetites of all forms are considered normal and hence, we now teach children that same-sex relationships are no different than any other appetite which we are entitled to satisfy. 

These lies are at the heart of a plethora of cultural problems, starting with unwed pregnancies which have risen so dramatically that 41% of babies in the USA are now born to single moms.  Single parenthood is a major cause of poverty, which continues to increase year after year. Doesn’t anyone connect the dots between the decline in sexual morality and the demise of the traditional family?  This is exactly what Pope Paul VI warned would happen if the contracepting mentality became the norm.  Separating sex from the commitment and responsibilities of marriage and family has had a devastating impact on our culture.  Not only have millions of families and children suffered the effects of divorce, millions more been born in poverty for lack of two parents.  But it doesn’t end there.  Untold millions struggle with depression and anxiety as the result of failed intimate relationships, abortion, and the gnawing feeling that they are lacking love and commitment in their lives.

The breakdown of the family also affects our economy as we struggle to provide welfare benefits to an ever increasing number of people living in poverty.  More than 100 million people in the USA now receive some form of nutritional aide.  That’s more people than are working in the private sector!  Even the business community has begun to see the effects of this downward spiral.  I was surprised to read an article that appeared in Fortune Magazine recently.  It cited a major study reporting a significant change in workforce demographics.  It seems that fewer men than women have been entering the workforce, and men’s average income has been dropping.  According to the study, the average US worker is 38 years old, and the average 38 year old male is 28% LESS likely to have a college degree than women of the same age.  The study went on to conclude that this is most likely due to the fact that so many men are raised without a father, while women have working mom’s as role models.  Although the article didn’t go so far as to point out that children raised in same sex families will be missing either a father or a mother, the consequences are right there before our eyes.  No one seems to care about a child’s right to be raised by both of his/her parents.

Amidst all this talk of a decaying culture, it’s no wonder so many people have sleepless nights, whether because they are suffering the effects of poor life choices, or simply worried about the culture and economy their children and grandchildren will inherit.  But here’s the thing:  It’s all in vain!  Life on this earth is a mere pittance of life that goes on for all eternity.  Human reason and logic are capable of hearing God’s message of hope in a world blinded to the truth.   But our faith is not blind.  We can know the love of God here and now, shared with us through those we love and who love us.  Yes, there is suffering and evil in this world, and we will all suffer to some degree, but it matters little because we are destined for eternal life with God Himself.  So next time you have trouble falling asleep, take St. Paul’s advice:  “Think of what is above, not of what is on earth.”