Unhappy people

What makes people unhappy?  What’s wrong?  Is the problem inside or outside?  The gospel indicates it’s inside.

Why?  They could have forgotten that the happiest people, like the saints, are the humble people, hardworking, patient, loving and forgiving, with full trust in the Almighty and in the Savior Jesus Christ, God’s only Son.  They thank God amid the trials and humiliations of the world. 

The unhappy ones are always bitter, hateful, angry and resentful, as if their world tumbled down.  There is sure hope for the righteous persons whose God is the Lord (not the passing worldly goods), who depend on God and do His will.  God who cannot lie nor cheat tells us in truth: “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His justice and everything else will be added unto you” (Mt. 6:33).  “Do not even worry about tomorrow.  It will take care of itself.  Enough for everyday is its own problem” (Mt. 6:34).

Which Church?

Deep in our hearts we should have the attitude of Jesus, especially in answer to the persistent  question what am I to do or which Church denomination am I to join?  Jesus Himself said that: “Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find” (Mt. 7:7, Lk. 11:9, Mk. 11:24).  Of course it is important in the first place that we are sincere and true to ourselves in seeking the right answers.

                This means we go back to history and search for what the Lord really said and what are those visible signs that could point to us the Church and the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ.  First of all Jesus wants us to be honest and true to ourselves in this quest for the truth rather than engage in detracting or mud-slinging discussions speaking badly of other institutions.  Let us rather humbly help one another in this important task of seeking for the true Church of Jesus Christ.

Judgmental

Many troubles in our world, even in our inner self, come from a violation of Jesus’ law: “Judge not and you shall not be judged” (Mt. 7:1). People in prison bewail the fact of their mistakes in life which they committed after a rash judgment on their neighbor.  All the violence and acts of hatred came from judging the neighbor.

            It sounds that simple and common yet much violence and many mistakes in life could have been avoided if only we shunned from judging our neighbor.  Maybe if we see one sinner we could just say within ourselves: “If it were not for the grace of God, I could have been much worse than that person.”

Violence begets violance

Jesus had said: “Do unto others what you want others do unto you” (Mt. 7:12).  This likewise implies: “Do not do unto others what you do not want others do unto you.”

We know how some people threw bombs to kill others and themselves too.  What’s the result?  The ensuing wars of revenge or retaliation happened.  And the countless casualties worldwide may go beyond a million through the years.

Let us follow the peaceful attitude of the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world—Jesus Christ—the Prince of Peace.  He rose from the dead three days after His crucifixion.  And now the world hails Him as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  He is truly the only solution to obtain peace in our world because He teaches us by word and example to love our enemies (cf. Mt. 5:38-48).

The only way is to “conquer evil with good” (Rom. 12:21).  We should not be overcome by the emotions of hatred and revenge but just open our eyes to what’s happening in reality.  You cannot deny the facts of history (contra factum non valet argumentum).  Open our eyes, open our minds, to humbly and sincerely accept the truth.  “Blessed are the humble and patient, they shall possess the land” (Mt. 5:3-7).  Yes, those who love and cultivate peace from their hearts and minds.

God's people

We are God’s people when we endeavor to know and do His will.  His will is that we learn about Him, His message, His commandments and His eternal designs of love, justice, mercy and compassion.  It is true there are several claiming to proclaim His message of truth, love, justice, and mercy.  But certainly among those diverse opinions we have to discern which one is telling the truth in reality.  We seek for proofs and signs which point to us the ones truly indicating God’s will and desire for us to implement.

                That of course brings us to the point of facts, history and veracity.  In this world of free human affairs we must seek for the truth and the trustworthiness of the given proofs.  Because, let us learn the truth of what had been said once: “You can fool some of the people all the time, all the people some times, but you cannot fool all the people all the time.”  Time will tell and the proofs will prove so in the course of time who is really telling the truth.  In the meantime let us bide our time and patiently wait for the truth to unfold itself with the help and efforts of people sincerely desiring the victory of truth and love and justice.  As Jesus had once said: “Everyone who seeks always finds” (Mt. 7:8).