What Brings you Happiness?

by Mike Hey

Psalm 16:11
"You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."

As you read this we will be about two weeks from Easter. How is your Lent going? Having a good one? Challenged? The point of Lent is not defeat, but victory—joyful victory. Lent is a season of austerity, but not morbidity. Lent is a sober time, but not a somber time. Nothing about divine friendship is somber. Lent is for sacrifice, but not for sadness. In fact, one of the best things to give up for Lent is melancholy.

The sixth chapter of St. Matthew captures the spirit of a happy Lent. The principal Lenten works are almsgiving, prayer, and fasting; and the principal Lenten attitude is one of private communion with God with outward cheer. But that cheer is not just a hypocritical show. Generous people are generally much happier. Wisdom knows the delight of doing well for its own sake is the most rewarding and uplifting of practices. It bestows joy because it is the basis of sanctity: a foretaste of Heaven on Earth, and Heaven is where God wants us to be happy with Him forever.

I don’t believe it was an accident that in her wisdom the Church selected the onset of spring for Lent. Lent—for all its severe associations—is rooted in the brightness of springtime. The word “Lent” is related to the word “lengthen,” referring to the lengthening of days as the world shakes off wintry darkness and turns to the dawn in the eastern, or Easter, sky. In spring we enjoy a lengthening of days increasing light (Daylight Saving!), and an unveiling, or even remaking, of the world. As a time of penance and self-examination, Lent should be viewed as an awakening from hibernation into the dawn of the world and the Word. We are called to be made anew into the comprehension and participation of the Resurrection—which is something to rejoice and be glad about.

The deprivations and disciplines of Lent should be understood and undertaken as invigorating forces for the sake of health, strength, and happiness. As with anything that gives enjoyment—as opposed to mere pleasure—effort is required: a passage, discovery, a pilgrimage if you will. Pilgrimages are like a monarch butterfly emerging from its chrysalis to a bright new world. This is the essence of Lent: to happily renew faith and recover newness of life—to lengthen our days with light together with the days of our brothers and sisters as well.

For me Lent is personally challenging and rewarding. Each Lenten season I have fasted, attended daily Mass as often as possible, read scripture and other inspirational texts daily, and received the Sacrament of Reconciliation. During these 40 days of embracing my own wilderness these activities are becoming habits, and I believe they are bringing me closer to Christ. I have learned a great deal about my Church and myself. I look forward to the quiet time I have each day, trying to reach into the core of my heart and search for Him to bring joy. The last two years I have also received Matthew Kelly’s daily e-mails from Dynamic Catholic. He personally challenges us to have the best Lent ever. It is still not too late to sign up for the remainder of Lent. This year his theme is happiness, and what brings us happiness. Spoiler alert – it’s not stuff! He has given me much to reflect on.

The Christian has learned from Christ that internal happiness (joy) is the secret to life. And the annual Christian practice of Lent is a training camp for internal happiness. External happiness depends on happenstance. We refocus the lens of our soul on internal joy while restricting the sources of external happiness. So what makes you happy? It’s not that simple a question. Kelly says; “On the one hand, we all want to be happy. On the other hand, we all know the things that make us happy. But we don’t do those things. Why? Simple. We are too busy. Too busy doing what? Too busy trying to be happy. This is the paradox of happiness that has bewitched our age.” I have found that these Lenten habits I have tried to deploy have in fact removed much of the noise and distractions in my life. They clear my mind so it is easier to hear God speaking to me. Those of you who know me pretty well also know that I follow Washington politics pretty closely. Don’t get me started. During Lent I have dialed that way back. The resulting calm is noticeable. What is causing you to be “too busy”?

Lent reminds us that we can live in a prosperous world, and yet not inwardly digest the wealth that surrounds us. So what makes you happy; spending more time with your family, learning something new, coaching your kid’s team, volunteering at church? I enjoy volunteering with a number of outdoor organizations (environmental stewardship) as it gets me closer to our Lord’s creation. What is Jesus calling you to do? Think about it. Giving of ourselves unselfishly is how Jesus intended for us to live, and the happiness and joy we receive in return is God’s grace. Your generosity will be vastly exceeded by your happiness.


John 15:11
"These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full."