Are we meant to live a happy life? Where do you find your Joy?
In the first reading from Ecclesiastes, it says, "REJOICE, O young man, while you are young and let your heart be glad in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart, the vision of your eyes; yet understand that as regards all this God will bring you to judgment. Ward off grief from your heart and put away trouble from your presence, though the dawn of youth is fleeting."
Then the next long sentence/paragraph is, what I think, a beautiful poetic description of aging and dying. Please read it by clicking on the above link for the Saturday Readings. I could read it over and over. It really puts everything in perspective and brings to light what truly is happening in life. Very important to note that in this sentence it states: "Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years approach of which you will say, I have no pleasure in them; ...".
I remember when I was a child, and how happy life was, not that there were no troubles, but that my heart was truly happy. I would wake up in the morning with a smile on my face ready to tackle another day. The school bus driver would ask how I could have so much energy and be so happy every morning. It was wonderful!
Feeling good and being happy is what seems to be touted as the norm in the world. There are so many products on the market to help us to look younger, feel younger and happier. There are also numerous articles and videos produced to help a person to find that youthful happiness. Commercials even advertise happiness in order to sell their products. When you have some time, here are three examples of commercials:
Is this what life is all about... being happy? Is it bad to have troubles? Are we afraid of not being happy? Is there a way to find joy in the midst of all the worlds evils?
If there is one thing to take from this reading in Ecclesiastes, I would say it is to "Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years approach of which you will say, I have no pleasure in them;". If we continually remember God, and rejoice in His goodness giving thanks, then maybe this will give us strength through out the rest of our life.
In John chapter 10 verse 10 it says, "A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly." I think God does want for us to live life to its fullest, but the world is leading the flock in the wrong direction. And that is probably why at the end of this reading it says, "Vanity of vanities, says Qoheleth, all things are vanity!
Let us pray that that the Lord will allow for us to have more good and holy priests to guide the Church in the right direction. Here is the link to our Prayer for Vocations and our PAPA Prayer for Priests.
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