Pope Francis wrote, “Do not be afraid of holiness. It will take away none of your energy, vitality, or joy. On the contrary, you will become what the Father had in mind when he created you, and you will be faithful to your deepest self” (Rejoice & Be Glad, 32). In the Beatitudes, Jesus teaches us the key to happiness: holiness. The world says that happiness consists of money, pleasure, power, and honor. But Jesus turns this notion on its head. Happy are the rich, the comfortable, the powerful, the popular? No, happy are the poor, the hungry, the meek, the persecuted. In order to live a holy life that isn’t focused on earthly rewards, we can learn how to trust God to take care of us: “Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose hope is in the Lord” (Jer 17:7).
Focusing on what’s eternal helps us to stop striving so much, bringing us peace. We can let go of the relentless pursuit of money, pleasure, power, and honor. We needn’t be attached to these temporary things when we’re securely attached to our eternal Father. The Beatitudes teach us how to live out this passage: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth…But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be” (Matt 6:19-21).
This week, consider choosing a Beatitude to work on. Ask God to show you which one He wants you to develop in order to increase your happiness. Is God calling you to become more humble, meek, merciful, peaceful, just, detached from pleasures, clean of heart? You could put a reminder on your phone or a sticky note on a mirror to help you focus on your Beatitude. Then come up with a list of several small ways to practice it and ask God for the grace to take action.
Heavenly Father, please give me the courage to live a holy life. “Jesus, I trust in you” (St. Faustina).