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Tuesday of the 5th Week OT
The Institute
February 9, 2016
STUDY ON HAPPINESS +++++++++++++++++++++++++
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I’m
preparing to give a retreat on happiness and came across a study that has
caught my attention
Ø
It
was of college students and done by two psychologists, Eileen Kennedy-Moore and
Mark Lowenthal
Ø
Shows
that by identifying their own acts of kindness 4 1 week, students experienced a
significant increase in their feelings of happiness
Ø
From
this the authors make a recommendation
Ø
They
propose a family dinnertime ritual of going around the table and having each
person name one act of kindness they performed that day
Ø
The
authors write, “There are many standards
in the world that your child may or may not meet.
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“But kindness is always within
one’s reach and there are numerous opportunities every day to demonstrate it.”
JESUS ON HAPPINESS +++++++++++++++++++++++++
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Beneath
today’s Gospel J is reminding us that heart of his teaching is his commandment 2
love 1 another as he’s loved us
Ø
Our
faith cannot simply remain in head or on R lips, but needs to be expressed in concrete
acts of kindness and charity
Ø
Today
Jesus challenges rituals and actions that have become empty of meaning
Ø
They
lack connection to head and heart
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On
the one hand, He calls us, “To do this in
memory of me”
Ø
He
calls us to remember and celebrate and receive him in the celebration of the
Eucharist…
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But
on other hand, calls us 2 live what we do in ritual, & that means 2 live as
he lived, giving of selves in simple, unrecognized acts of kindness & charity
& self-sacrifice 4 the good of others
CONCLUSION ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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We
return to where we began, to the study of college students
Ø
They
tell us where true, deep, enduring happiness can be found
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