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There is no being in the world who does not want to be happy or to have a blessed life. There is only a difference of opinion about what it is and how to attain it. But what does it really mean to be happy or to be blessed.
The adjective ‘makarios’ ( μακάριος ) is used to express NT “beatitudes” or “macarisms”. Together with the following “woes” (cf. Lk 6:20-26) they belong to a literary subform that has been called “ascription” (found also in Egyptian, classical and Hellinistic Greek literature). It denoted a person’s inner happiness or its exact opposite. When the beatitude-form developed, it extolled the good fortune that they have. In the OT Wisdom literature it took a religious sense as the expression of God’s favor toward the persons connoting a full life, a good wife (Sir 26:1), sons as heirs (Ps 127:3-5), prosperity and honor (Job 29:10-11). While these imply blessings already present, the beatitudes in NT refer to a future or eschatological reward; thus rarely expressing practical wisdom but stressing a reversal of values that people put on earthly things in view of the kingdom being preached by Jesus. A paradox is often involved in them. The first part describes the condition of the disciples (poor, hungry, weeping, hated…); the second promises their eschatological lot, often formulated in the theological passive (shall be…[by God]).
Those whose life seems to be an endless series of adversities may not consider themselves blessed since their desires which they believe will make them happy are not met. Today’s readings remind us, with the use of rich imagery drawn from nature (cfJer 17:5-8; Ps 1) that God is still present to a troubled world. The way things are is not necessarily the way they should be. Jesus assures us of a reversal of the accepted order. We only have to trust him and hope in him not only in this life but beyond (cf1 Cor 15:16-20). If in faith we take Jesus at his word we will surely be blessed, indeed!
