By nature, man
continually strives for happiness, and everything he does or plans bears the
stamp of this aim, either implicitly or explicitly. Throughout history, each
civilization idealized a way to attain happiness, sparing no efforts to this
end. For the Greeks, success was found in the philosophical domain; the Romans
vied for political power; the Renaissance man cultivated the arts; the
industrial revolution overvalued the production of material goods; and finally,
in the twentieth century, man strove to obtain it by the abolition of all moral
principles.
Summarizing the apex of this libertarian state of spirit, the
Revolution of May 1968 dogmatically asserted: “It is forbidden to forbid!” And,
with the contagious capacity of the unbridled passions, added to the charm of
French culture, it was not long before this utopian objective had conquered
large portions of international public opinion, implying that the remnants of
the precepts of order that lingered were the only barriers separating man from
total happiness.
Almost a half-century has passed, and what is the result? Did
humanity finally find what it sought so earnestly? Are today’s youth brimming
with happiness? Are we living at the height of the civilization dreamt of by
all generations over the course of history?
It is enough to open the eyes ever so slightly to certify that
something went wrong, and that the fruits of this supposed liberation are far
from what were imagined. Why?
In this regard, few insights could be more opportune than those
of Pope Benedict XVI given in a speech on December 8 2013. In it, the Vicar of
Christ issued a warning regarding the false remedies that the world proposes to
fill the emptiness of soul resulting from egoism, indicating Mary Immaculate as
a model: “She speaks of joy; that authentic joy which spreads in hearts freed
from sin. Sin brings with it a negative sadness that leads to withdrawal into
self.” On the contrary, he explains, “Christianity is essentially an
“evangelo,” “Good News,” whereas some think of it as an obstacle to joy.”
Continuing, he said: “Mary’s joy is complete, for in her heart there is not a
shadow of sin.”
Indeed, the innocent soul is happy, and serves the Lord “with
joy and gladness of heart” (Dt 28:47). A model believer in this truth, St. John
Bosco established just one rule for the playgrounds of Salesian schools:
“Sadness us forbidden!” And his own life was an example of joy on the path of
holiness. In this lay the secret and the charismatic power of his apostolate.
It is more than ever necessary to
forewarn the new generations against this noxious error which deviates so many
souls from the right path: true happiness is not found in sin, but in virtue.
The disorder of the vices cannot bring this greatly desired inner peace.
Editorial
February 2013 · Heralds of the Gospel
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