TGIMMsmile

	WHAT MAKES US SMILE?

The Gospel

LUKE 11:27-28

While Jesus was speaking, a woman from the crowd called out and said to him, "Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed." He replied, "Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it."

The Media -- "Smile" (Uncle Kracker)

"You're better than the best, I’m lucky just to linger in your life. Cooler than the flip-side of my pillow. Nothing can compare to where you send me. You make me smile like a sun, fall outta bed, sing like a bird, dizzy in my head, spin like a record, crazy on a Sunday night. You make me dance like a fool, forget how to breathe, shine like gold, buzz like a bee. Just the thought of you can drive me wild. Oh, you make me smile."

One of the questions about Jesus' life is whether he smiled or not. The Gospels do not mention the word "smile," but they do refer to Jesus using the idea of "happy" or "blessed" throughout those Gospels. What made him happy? Jesus had much interaction with children and young people. Certainly, such an action would lead to laughter and smiling on his part. But the question of being happy and smiling must go deeper than merely reacting to a pleasant situation. What made Jesus really happy? He tells us directly: when his followers hear his word and observe it.

An important question for people who are searching for a deeper spiritual life is "Where do we find our happiness?" The person in Uncle Kracker's song "Smile" found it in a happy romantic relationship. Is our happiness in the pleasures of this world? Is it in the desire for more money that sacrifices family and relationships? Is it in the power we want to have over others? They are good questions that a sincere person must ask.

We can find happiness in our lives in any number of ways. The secret of a sincere life is to determine what makes us happy. If we choose this world as a guide, we will most likely choose something that will hurt us in the long run. Jesus suggests that we choose his words as our guide. Such a choice might mean that we will not have everything we want, but the end result--eternal happiness--is well worth it.

Abraham Lincoln, perhaps the United States' wisest President, once observed that most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be. If we make up our minds to follow Jesus' words and actions, we have reason to be happy. We have reason to smile.

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, you want us to be happy as we live our lives. Unfortunately, we sometimes choose happiness that can harm us. Give us the grace to constantly choose the happiness that your Son showed us in his life. Be with us, we pray.

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GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT

Theme: Where do we find our happiness?

THE GOSPEL
1. As mentioned in the meditation, the word “smile” is not in the Gospels, but the word “happy” is. It is often translated in English as “blessed.” In your opinion, would you call Jesus a “happy” person? Yes or no and why? What would make him happy?
2. The words of the Gospel passage should not be interpreted as a “put down” of Mary, but a saying that attentiveness to God’s word is more important than biological relationships. In general, do you think that most Christians honestly listen to God’s word? Yes or no and why?
3. We think of happiness of “having a good time in life.” Do you think that Jesus ever “had a good time”? Yes or no and why?

THE SONG
1. Uncle Kracker is obviously singing about the emotions of love. How would you describe the strongest emotion of love?
2. “Being in love” is the cause of a person’s happiness in the song. What are the elements of love that any person should learn as they love another?
3. It has been said that if the two lovers cannot smile at each other, there will be no love present. Is the statement true or false and why?

THE MEDITATION
1. Where do most people find their happiness?
2. Where should most people find their happiness?
3. The meditation says that if we choose the world as a guide to our lives, we will most likely end up unhappy? In what ways do people choose the world as a guide?
4. The Catechism of the Catholic Church, second edition, quotes St. Augustine in # 1718: “We all want to live happily; in the whole human race there is no one who does not assent to this proposition.” What does it mean to “live happily”?
5. What does the song “Smile” teach young people today?

Questions, comments? Let me know. Email Fr. Mike