Acts 6:1-7 / 1 Peter 2:4-9 / John 14:1-12
One of the greatest desires in life is to be happy.
The quest for happiness is like a constant thirst.
We know by now that we won’t be in a constant state of happiness, not at least while we are here in this world.
But still, we strive for happiness to last longer, and so we will embark on a few possible directions to achieve that.
Some will look for the perfect partner so that they will be happy together and forever.
Some will look for the perfect job so that they will be at the top and think they will be happy.
Some will want to be as rich and wealthy as possible because with luxury they think they will be happy.
But we all know by now that happiness is such an elusive thing that we can be happy one day and sad the next; we may be happy one moment and sad the next.
And for all that we tried to do in order to achieve happiness, we see that happiness vanishes quickly like water on dry desert sand, and our hearts get frustrated and disappointed.
And with that the little problems of life become big troubles.
In the gospel, Jesus said to his disciples, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God still, and trust in me.”
Jesus said this at the Last Supper and before that He gave a long discourse that made His disciples anxious and worried.
They had hoped that by following Jesus they would find the happiness that they were searching for.
But when Jesus talked about betrayal and denial and desertion, his disciples were shaken and confused.
And that is why Jesus had to tell them not to let their hearts be troubled and to trust in God and trust in Him.
But Jesus is not telling them to “Don’t Worry Be Happy” (as the song goes). He even promised them that He will return to take them to a place of eternal happiness.
Oh, how we want to go to that place that Jesus is talking about and be happy forever.
But does that mean that there won’t be a place for happiness here on earth?
Today as we celebrate Mother’s Day, we know how hard are mothers try to make the home a place of happiness.
Our mothers cook and clean, they care and council us so that we can be happy at home and in life.
But what will make our mothers happy will be that we don’t give trouble and we don’t get into trouble.
When we think of what our mothers have done for us and when we think of what will make our mothers happy, then we will certainly think carefully about what we want to do in life.
In not giving trouble and not getting into trouble, our mothers will be happy with us, and that is the best gift for our mothers on Mother’s Day and also every day.
In the spiritual perspective, when we sin, we will give trouble and also get into trouble, and no one will be happy, including ourselves.
Jesus wants to bring us that place of eternal happiness, but we have to prepare for it now, here on earth.
Our hearts will be troubled only when we ask for trouble, and we ask for trouble when we commit sin.
Let us ask Jesus to give peace to our hearts, so that our mothers will be happy, and so that we too will be happy.