I learned something new today. The word, beatitudes comes from the Latin word

happiness. By nature, humans are made to yearn for happiness. It is written on our hearts.

In today’s media, we are told we can find happiness in material goods. Buy bigger, better, more expensive and we will find happiness.

Ads show us if we look younger, act younger or dress younger, we will find happiness.

We hear from the world around us if we are free, free to do what we want, when we want, how we want, without consequences we will find happiness.

Drink, eat and be merry and we will find happiness.

However, to find real happiness we need to turn to Jesus and follow in His footsteps. East to say but really, how do we do that every day in search of happiness?

If only we had a lesson plan or a how-to-manual to follow.

GOOD NEWS!

We do, Jesus gave us the beatitudes to live by. If we understand that the

Beatitudes=happiness we can read Luke’s Gospel like this:

Happiness is found for you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.

Happiness is found for you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied.

Happiness is found for you who weep now, for you will laugh.

Happiness is found for you when people hate you, when they exclude you, insult you, and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man.