Bishop Easter 2011
The Diocese of
Monmouth
EASTER DAY 2011
When the disciples saw the Lord they were filled with joy. John 20:20
Many years ago I was on an official visit to the Romanian Orthodox Church and for part of the visit we stayed with His Beatitude, the Patriarch of Romania in his palace in Bucharest. There was an interpreter present who translated the Patriarch’s title ‘His Beatitude’ quite literally and referred to this elderly archbishop as ‘His Happiness’ for the word ‘Beatitude’ does indeed mean ‘Happy’, so perhaps it is not so inappropriate to address a fellow Christian as ‘Your Happiness’!
Some bibles translate the Beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount as ‘’Blessed’ (Blessed are the poor, Blessed are the meek and so on), whilst others translate it as Happy ( ‘Happy are the poor in spirit, the meek, the peacemakers and those who hunger and search for righteousness). But what is happiness?
After the resurrection we are told that the disciples were overjoyed when the saw the Risen Lord. The dictionary will tell you that happiness is ‘a mental state characterised by positive emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy’ so that means you can be a little bit happy, moderately happy, very happy or exceedingly happy. Some thinkers have said that happiness should be our guide to ethical behaviour. We should endeavour to create the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people. It’s called Utilitarianism, but how do you measure happiness? A BBC opinion poll said that Britain is far wealthier than 50 years ago but happiness levels have declined, so politicians are now being told that they should put people’s happiness ahead of wealth creation – in the jargon it is called ‘subjective well-being’.
Anyway, happiness is becoming a growth industry and there are many courses, books and guides to happiness and there has been an upsurge in scientific studies. They have shown that money, education and the weather do not have a very great impact on our happiness – but that certain ways of thinking and acting do. They also show that religious belief can have a very positive effect on our happiness so it would seem that we are not miserable sinners after all – we are happy ones!
So what kind of ‘happy’ were the disciples on that first Easter morn? Perhaps they were more confused than happy because they were downcast and went to the grave but found an empty tomb. The women who reached the tomb were frightened. Peter was amazed to find it empty. Maybe someone had stolen the body which would have made them even sadder? But as the truth began to dawn on them, and when the Risen Christ appeared to them their sadness was turned to joy. No doubt their initial happiness was because their friend was not dead after all, he was alive - but only as the significance of the resurrection impacted on them could they be truly happy and know that love had triumphed over evil and life over death.
Those who have studied happiness define various characteristics that make people happy. Chief among them is positive thinking – optimism and gratitude. Christians can be optimistic because of the resurrection and as the Eucharistic community we should be living eucharistically as people of thanksgiving. If you are a grumbler (and I am myself aware as I get older of the dangers of becoming a Victor Meldew) then you need to start thinking positively. As St Augustine said, ‘We are an Easter people and ‘Alleluia’ is our song’. Other ways to happiness are to develop relations and engage with other people – to try and work towards their happiness because if we do that, we shall find happiness ourselves. Happiness is not found in material possession but in relationships and caring. The message is that if you set out in pursuit of happiness for its own sake then you are unlikely to find it – you are more likely to find it in everyday life as you bring happiness to others. There is a Chinese proverb that says that happiness is like a butterfly - the more you try to catch it the more it will elude you, but if you just get on with ordinary things, it will come and land on your shoulder.
The happiness gurus also say we should develop virtues – we should set ourselves good targets to achieve - and that we should take physical exercise. Last Sunday, we saw thousands of people running the marathon combining exercise with virtue as they raised money and hopefully they found happiness through their achievements.
The Beatitudes remind us of where Christians will find true happiness. Happy are the poor in spirit – yes, if we are not careful our possession will possess us. Happy are those who hunger for justice – yes, the powerful need to fight for the powerless to bring them justice. Happy are the merciful – yes, we have to recognise our own human frailty and be understanding of the frailty of others. Happy are the pure in heart – yes, we need to have pure intentions, motivated by love. Happy are the peacemakers, yes, it is peacemakers not peace-lovers, happiness will be found in positive action to bring about reconciliation. Happy are those who are persecuted for what is right. Yes, happiness is found in having right thinking and values and the courage to stand up for them.
So today is a happy day! We should be overjoyed as we greet the Risen Christ. If you gave up chocolate, cheese, meat or alcohol you can give your taste buds a treat. If you fasted and saved money for the Lent Appeal you can have the satisfaction of knowing that the money you are giving will help those in need in the diocese and also help to train catechists in Mozambique who will be preparing thousands of new converts for baptism and confirmation. But the real challenge is to live the Easter message. S Paul said, ‘If then, you are risen with Christ; seek those things that are above’. We have to develop an attitude that thinks positively and with optimism because Christ has triumphed and we have to become people of thanksgiving – who not only celebrate the Eucharist on a Sunday but who live it every day. We have to become people who live for others and who seek the spiritual treasure – then truly we shall be an Easter people – we shall be blessed.
So as we wish one another a Happy Easter, let’s be happy!
The Diocese of
Monmouth
EASTER DAY 2011
When the disciples saw the Lord they were filled with joy. John 20:20
Many years ago I was on an official visit to the Romanian Orthodox Church and for part of the visit we stayed with His Beatitude, the Patriarch of Romania in his palace in Bucharest. There was an interpreter present who translated the Patriarch’s title ‘His Beatitude’ quite literally and referred to this elderly archbishop as ‘His Happiness’ for the word ‘Beatitude’ does indeed mean ‘Happy’, so perhaps it is not so inappropriate to address a fellow Christian as ‘Your Happiness’!
Some bibles translate the Beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount as ‘’Blessed’ (Blessed are the poor, Blessed are the meek and so on), whilst others translate it as Happy ( ‘Happy are the poor in spirit, the meek, the peacemakers and those who hunger and search for righteousness). But what is happiness?
After the resurrection we are told that the disciples were overjoyed when the saw the Risen Lord. The dictionary will tell you that happiness is ‘a mental state characterised by positive emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy’ so that means you can be a little bit happy, moderately happy, very happy or exceedingly happy. Some thinkers have said that happiness should be our guide to ethical behaviour. We should endeavour to create the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people. It’s called Utilitarianism, but how do you measure happiness? A BBC opinion poll said that Britain is far wealthier than 50 years ago but happiness levels have declined, so politicians are now being told that they should put people’s happiness ahead of wealth creation – in the jargon it is called ‘subjective well-being’.
Anyway, happiness is becoming a growth industry and there are many courses, books and guides to happiness and there has been an upsurge in scientific studies. They have shown that money, education and the weather do not have a very great impact on our happiness – but that certain ways of thinking and acting do. They also show that religious belief can have a very positive effect on our happiness so it would seem that we are not miserable sinners after all – we are happy ones!
So what kind of ‘happy’ were the disciples on that first Easter morn? Perhaps they were more confused than happy because they were downcast and went to the grave but found an empty tomb. The women who reached the tomb were frightened. Peter was amazed to find it empty. Maybe someone had stolen the body which would have made them even sadder? But as the truth began to dawn on them, and when the Risen Christ appeared to them their sadness was turned to joy. No doubt their initial happiness was because their friend was not dead after all, he was alive - but only as the significance of the resurrection impacted on them could they be truly happy and know that love had triumphed over evil and life over death.
Those who have studied happiness define various characteristics that make people happy. Chief among them is positive thinking – optimism and gratitude. Christians can be optimistic because of the resurrection and as the Eucharistic community we should be living eucharistically as people of thanksgiving. If you are a grumbler (and I am myself aware as I get older of the dangers of becoming a Victor Meldew) then you need to start thinking positively. As St Augustine said, ‘We are an Easter people and ‘Alleluia’ is our song’. Other ways to happiness are to develop relations and engage with other people – to try and work towards their happiness because if we do that, we shall find happiness ourselves. Happiness is not found in material possession but in relationships and caring. The message is that if you set out in pursuit of happiness for its own sake then you are unlikely to find it – you are more likely to find it in everyday life as you bring happiness to others. There is a Chinese proverb that says that happiness is like a butterfly - the more you try to catch it the more it will elude you, but if you just get on with ordinary things, it will come and land on your shoulder.
The happiness gurus also say we should develop virtues – we should set ourselves good targets to achieve - and that we should take physical exercise. Last Sunday, we saw thousands of people running the marathon combining exercise with virtue as they raised money and hopefully they found happiness through their achievements.
The Beatitudes remind us of where Christians will find true happiness. Happy are the poor in spirit – yes, if we are not careful our possession will possess us. Happy are those who hunger for justice – yes, the powerful need to fight for the powerless to bring them justice. Happy are the merciful – yes, we have to recognise our own human frailty and be understanding of the frailty of others. Happy are the pure in heart – yes, we need to have pure intentions, motivated by love. Happy are the peacemakers, yes, it is peacemakers not peace-lovers, happiness will be found in positive action to bring about reconciliation. Happy are those who are persecuted for what is right. Yes, happiness is found in having right thinking and values and the courage to stand up for them.
So today is a happy day! We should be overjoyed as we greet the Risen Christ. If you gave up chocolate, cheese, meat or alcohol you can give your taste buds a treat. If you fasted and saved money for the Lent Appeal you can have the satisfaction of knowing that the money you are giving will help those in need in the diocese and also help to train catechists in Mozambique who will be preparing thousands of new converts for baptism and confirmation. But the real challenge is to live the Easter message. S Paul said, ‘If then, you are risen with Christ; seek those things that are above’. We have to develop an attitude that thinks positively and with optimism because Christ has triumphed and we have to become people of thanksgiving – who not only celebrate the Eucharist on a Sunday but who live it every day. We have to become people who live for others and who seek the spiritual treasure – then truly we shall be an Easter people – we shall be blessed.
So as we wish one another a Happy Easter, let’s be happy!