Clap if you're happy

If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands, little kids like to sing.

They clap, stomp their feet and yell, having a great time. But if you're older, you might think, That song is dumb and why act so happy? I've got lots of problems.

Jesus would'nt agree with you, though. In this week's Gospel (Luke 6:17,20-26), He teaches that people who are having problems are being watched over all the time by God and that, someday, they'll see how much God loves them.

Be happy if you're poor, said Jesus. God's kingdom, heaven, belongs to you. Be happy if you're hungry; someday, you will eat all you want. If you're sad, you will laugh. If people hurt you for believing in God, you'll go to heaven. But those who are rich now will be poor and hungry; the bullies will be the ones crying; and people who think they're great will be last in God's kingdom.

Kids like to sing noisy songs like If You're Happy and You Know It so they can shout out how happy they are. While they're singing, they're not thinking about whether they'll like what's for dinner, that their winter coats are too small or that their parents are fighting. They're just being happy.

In the Gospel story, Jesus says that we can all act like those kids. Even when things seem awful and we feel sad and grumpy, we can remember that God is taking care of us and loving us. Even when you're getting teased at school or crying over family problems, Jesus is saving up wonderful things for you: love, things to laugh about and even a place in heaven.

Its easy to walk around yelling about problems or to show off when you've got something other kids don't, and not want to sing happy songs. But Jesus warned that if you're showing off now, you're getting all the happiness you need, so He'll pay more attention to the people who need Him more.

If Jesus were here, He'd sit right down with all the little kids and sing: If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands!

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK: Jesus, teach me to be happy with whatever I've got, until I see you in heaven someday! Amen.