Eudiamonia Rev. T. Spidlik, SJ Translated by Fr. Vit Fiala, OFM

The joy the world gives is vainglory. We await it with great expectation but when it arrives we became incapable of retaining it. The sorrow of those who suffer unjustly is better than the pleasure of one who commits unlawfulness.

The Fathers propose that only Christian spiritual life offers the fulfillment of happiness. Nevertheless, their understanding of happiness bears similarities to that of the Greek thinkers. The ancient philosophy is eudaimonistical. Followers of the Greeks define the true goal of wisdom as eudaimonia, that is, happiness. Naturally, the philosophers offer different counsels on its achievement. The Fathers of the Church point to the opening words of the Psalms; “happy are those… whose delight is the law of the Lord”. Christ Himself began His preaching with the beatitudes (Mt. 5:3-12). Many founders of Christian religious orders have promised true happiness to those who faithfully live according to their order’s Rule.

Nevertheless, the Fathers of the Church were well aware that beneath these apparent encouragements there subsists a deeper reality. The question is more profound. Undying happiness rests with God alone. Only those united to Him will possess His blessedness, because worldly conditions oppose its discovery. “Blessed are the poor, the sorrowful, the persecuted…” Christ’s beatitudes portray the opposite of the world’s vision of happiness. Tolstoy in his didactic stories depicts the poor as happy because they are not burdened with riches, the persecuted as happy in indifference to their condition, and so on. Tolstoy’s perspective on the Gospels does not truly penetrate toward their meaning. Mysteriously, Christ Himself promises that although His followers will be poor and persecuted, they have God dwelling in their hearts and are therefore most richly blessed by God’s own beatitude.

It is important to note that the Gospels do not use the Greek term eudaimonia, which expresses a psychological state, but makarioi, which confirms that one is on the right path. Such a person is happy even when facing problems. This is the explanation of the first letter of Peter; “In this you rejoice, although now for a little while you may have to suffer through various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold that is perishable even though tested by fire, may prove to be for praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Although you have not seen Him you love Him; even though you do not see Him now yet believe in Him, you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, as you attain the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls (1 Pet 1:6-9).