Today I was sitting around pondering the difference between “merry” and “happy”. Ok, while maybe I was doing more then just pondering this particular subject, the difference did cross my mind and I decided to go ahead and write about it. Since I didn’t really have the slightest idea what the difference was, I decided I had better turn to good old Websters for a bit of help and good advice, which I now want to pass along to you. If you don’t want advice or help from Webster’s, you had best stop reading right now. For those who do want help and advice (like myself) here is what I found. If you are like me, you probably thought that happy people and merry people were more or less the same kind of people, but that’s where you would be wrong. Happiness is described thus: “1. favored by luck or fortune 3. enjoying or characterized by well-being and contentment “ There are other parts to the definition, but you get the idea. “Merry” on the other hand is quite different. “2. enjoying or characterized by well-being and contentment 3. marked by festivity or gaiety.
Suggests cheerful, joyous, uninhibited enjoyment of frolic or festivity”
So when I mish you a “Merry Summer” this is what I want for you. Since we are all good Catholics and don’t really believe in things like luck or fortune (they imply another power that governs our lives outside of God) and I want more for all of you then just wellbeing and contentment, merry seems to be the more appropriate word choice. There is an intensity about the word merry that just seems to be lacking in the definition of happy. I want all of you to have a summer that involves a cheerful, joyous, uninhibited frolic or festivity. And why not? God loves you, he gave you a beautiful world to frolic and have festivities in, the days here are long and warm, and Ice cold lemonade is back in season. There is no possible reason I can think of to not have a merry summer. Even if you have to work, work merrily. Live your life with the joy of being truly alive. Jesus came so that we might have life and have it to the abundantly (Jn 10:10) Take hold of the abundance that Jesus is offering you and live out this summer in absolute merriment. I even have 4 fun tips to help you along the way.
1. Go to daily Mass. The Eucharist will change your life. Guaranteed
2. Stay involved with the youth group programs.
3. Honor your parents. I know this can be difficult, but it is worth it.
4. Go to Confession at least once a month. If you don’t need it, please give me some tips on attaining perfection.
There you go. Have a merry summer and I will see you at our summer events.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment