Happiness
consists in the unimpeded activity
of every part of our nature. The nobler our nature,
the greater our capacity for happiness. Perfect
happiness consists in full activity of a perfect
nature. The Angels have a nature perfect in its
order and degree, and their whole nature is occupied
with the joy of seeing God face to face. Hence
their happiness is perfect. So too will my happiness
be one day, if I am faithful to God.
Happiness requires that we should look forward to the future without any misgivings or fear
lest we should forfeit our present joy. The Holy
Angels know that for all eternity nothing in Heaven
or on earth can cloud the brightness of their
vision of God, or hinder the streams of delight
that flow thence to them unceasingly. We on the
other hand dread coming evils. Yet why should we
do so, when all things work together for good to
those who love God? If we loved God more, what
we now fear as evil would lose all its power to
terrify us. What we now dread most would be
gladly accepted by us as certain in the end to work
for our good.
The Holy Angels never have their wills crossed, never are thwarted, never are disappointed, because
they have no will save God's. Before they know
His will, they tend to do what seems to them the
greatest good. But they always do so under the
condition that God does not will otherwise. Their
own will disappears when His is known to them.
This is the secret of happiness in this world as
well as in the next.