A number of months ago I was watching Fox News on a Saturday morning and Fr. Jonathan Morris was on talking about a book he had recently written titled "God wants you happy". Fr. Morris was passionately talking about how God loves us so much and that the scriptures are a road map to having a great life and being happy. Sometimes I feel as though we can take the teachings of our faith as a map of a mine field, showing us what to avoid versus how to be happy.
I can tell you from personal experience that the more I learn about Christ, the closer I become to Him and the closer I follow His teachings the happier I am. I love my life!
The reading below from The Book of the Prophet Isaiah is one of many examples of how God reminds us that when we follow His teachings great things happen for us. "Great" is a relative term isn't it? God will give us the prosperity we seek and the family we pray for. Follow His word and nothing is beyond what He will give us.
So what's the catch? Why doesn't everyone do it? What makes us different than all the animals that roam the earth is "free will". We have a choice. We don't have to follow the commandments. We can chose to be grumpy, selfish, distant from God. It is our choice. Strange as it may sound our lives can be miserable if that's what we chose. No thank you!
Today is the Feast Day of St John of the Cross. A 16th Century Spanish Friar St John of the Cross is known for his poetry and writings, often quoted for his love of Christ. In my calendar I have a reminder of today's message which I took from St John. I start everyday with this quote;
"What does it profit you to do one thing when God asks of you another. Consider what it is that God wants and then do it".
Peace be with you