CHEERFULNESS

A big dog saw a little dog chasing its tail and asked, Why are you chasing your tail so? Said the puppy, I have mastered philosophy, I have solved the problems of the universe which no dog before me has rightly solved; I have learned that the best thing for a dog is happiness and that happiness is my tail. Therefore I am chasing it; and when I catch it I shall have happiness. Said the Old dog,My son, I, too have paid attention to the problems of the universe, and I have formed some opinions. I, too, have found that happiness is a fine thing for a dog, and that happiness is in my tail. But I have noticed that when I chase after it, it keeps running away from me, but when I go about my business, it comes after me. Cheerfulness [Happiness] is a feeling of inner joy radiated in our expression. It is achieved when we love others unconditionally accepting them as they are, without any expectation. Cheerfulness lies in striving to make others happy through a kind word or a tender smile, by being thoughtful and unselfish, by wiping a tear and bringing some cheer. It also lies in the way we adjust to people and things as they change; in the manner we face our difficulties, in the way we pick ourselves up after a fall and continue in life. Happiness enjoys the blessings of today without remembering the griefs of yesterday or anxious about the fortunes of tomorrow. Happiness is derived either from the work we do or by sharing our passions and time. It is in things that are near to us, not in things afar; in what we give, not in what we receive; in what we are rather than what we seem to be; in how we live not in how we pray. True happiness is the union of ourselves with God. A glad heart makes a cheerful countenance (Prov. 15:13), a cheerful heart has a continual feast (v.15b). A cheerful heart is a good medicine (17:22). God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work (2Cor. 9:7, 8). Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all you nations! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come before His presence with singing! (Ps 102: 1, 2) Serving the Lord with gladness is a good goal for all of us. Often, we think we must do something great, and we forget the simple things that obviously bless the Lord. It means a great deal to Him that His children serve Him with gladness. What an awesome goal: to serve the Lord with gladness, and to complete our course with joy. Now, I not only want to complete my course, but I want to complete it with joy. Whatever your present station in life, whatever you are called to do, wherever you are called to go, enjoy the journey. Dont waste one day of the precious life God has given you. Rejoice, when you share in some measure the sufferings of Christ; so joy will be yours, and triumph, when his glory is revealed (1 Peter 4:13). Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, rejoice! (Phil. 4:4)

Holiness does not consist in pulling long faces or being sad and miserable. Holiness consists in being continuously joyful because we possess God. Conviction, Confidence, commitment and consistency. Own it, Bless it and Use it.

Forgiveness which is in itself a process consists of three stages; own it, bless it and use it. Own it means take responsibility for what has happened or realize that you have. Bless it means whishing that may it become a blessing in my growth, a positive outlook, and an optimistic attitude towards it. Use it means knowing your weakness or illness turn it into strength. St. Paul used the same process of forgiveness in his life, when he says, a thorn was given me in my flesh, & for whenever I am weak, then I am strong. (2Cor 12:7-12). Cardinal Francis Van Thang & Archbishop Fulton Sheen say, Love God, not the works of God. The combination of Martha and Mary is to be the model for any Christian expression of love in life (). And the motivation one ought to draw from is the Eucharist. As that of the Emmaus Experience (Lk 24:13-35). 1 Thes 5:16-18:- They give us three marks of a genuine Church. I] It is a HAPPY CHURCH. There is in it that atmosphere of joy which makes its members feel that they are bathed in sunshine. True Christianity is an exhilarating and not a depressing thing. II] It is a PRAYING CHURCH. May be our churchs prayers would be more effective if we remembered that they pray best together who also pray alone. III] It is a THANKFUL CHURCH. There is always something for which to give thanks; even on the darkest day there are blessings to count. We must remember that if we face the sun the shadows will fall behind us but if we turn our backs on the sun the shadows will be in front.

Rev Fr. Jesuraj, For MC Sisters on 19th August 2009.