25th September

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Matthew 5, 4

Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. Luke 23, 34

Are the unhappy happy?

God is rejected, world is lost and death reigns. And finally the whole life is marked by failure because life ends with death. When this pessimistic statement is accepted Jesus promises consolation which can soothe distress: God's free of charge forgiveness and the welcome in his presence.

Jesus had a lot of occasions to be sad when he lived on earth among us. "He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him" (John 1, 11). He cried over Jerusalem which was going to be destroyed and he cried over the ingratitude of them whom he came to save and bless. Men often answered his love with hatred.

Are we susceptible to sufferings and to devastations of the evil in this world? Are we conscient that we have the same capacity in our heart to do evil? Let us implore his help to do what is righteous in God's eyes. Are we sorrowful when we see how much the Lord is still despised and rejected today? Then we will be able to live what the apostle Paul said: "Sorrowful, yet always rejoicing" (2 Corinthians 6, 10); our faith will be raised and will understand that the day will come when the Lord will be honoured worldwide. In the final glory sin will have disappeared and God will wipe all tears of the face.