Happiness
Sunday, September 13, 2026 • Preached by Kyle Pipes
Summary: Happiness is not meant to be a one-hit wonder in our life in which it’s the only acceptable emotion. If we chase happiness this way, it will backfire and cause depression. Instead, we want to welcome happiness and allow it to create space for all of our emotions.
Delight and fun create space and possibility. Life is messy, as we like to say around here. It is filled with hurt, hardship, failure, loss, and monotony. If we only experience the anger, sadness, and fear that are kicked up by the messiness of life, we will get lost in the pain. This is where delight and fun come in. The happiness we experience from a funny situation, a beautiful day, a delicious cup of coffee, or a good time with people expands us and creates space for our other emotions, as well as a sense of possibility of a good future. What brings you delight and sparks fun in your life?
Contentment comes when we live with alignment and intention. The scriptures tell us that the good life is found when we intentionally align our lives with faith, hope, justice, mercy, and love. This does not mean our life will always be easy, but it does allow us to find satisfaction in how we live. When we are traveling through a challenge, sometimes the satisfaction of living well is what we can hold onto. The scriptures also warn us that we can put our ladder on the wrong building, pursuing power, privilege, and prestige to obtain contentment, but never find it. How is your intention and alignment?
Hope and joy open us to the eternal and transcendent. We celebrated quite a few baptisms this past week. The practice of baptism connects us to hope and joy. As we go under the water, we are celebrating God conquering sin, evil, and death through the death of Christ. As we come out of the water, we are celebrating how God makes all things new, both now and forever. How do you welcome hope and joy?
Passage for Reflection: Romans 12:9-21
Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” No, “if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
St. Ignatius’ Examen:
Gratitude: Think through your day and give thanks for what you are grateful for.
Review: Remember each hour of the day, noticing where you felt God’s presence and where you either entered into or turned away from God’s activity in your midst.
Sorrow: Recall actions for which you are sorry.
Forgiveness: Ask for God’s forgiveness. Make plans to reconcile with anyone you have hurt and to forgive and reconcile with those who have hurt you.
Grace: Ask for God’s grace for the coming day and an increased ability to recognize God’s presence.
