There are two kinds of happiness: the happiness of present enjoyment and the happiness of hope. The one reposes in the present; makes the most of it; sucks out of it all the enjoyment possible and banishes all thought of the future. This is the happiness that is to come entirely within reach of all, even the worst. It is a low kind of happiness, essentially of the earth, earthy, but still some seem to be satisfied with it. There are many men and women selfish, proud, impure, disobedient to conscience, and the enemies of God who are apparently quite content with the happiness of present enjoyment.
The happiness of hope, on the other hand, does not derive its consolations from the present, but from the future. It is ready to forego the immediate satisfaction of the moment, for the sake of a far higher and nobler satisfaction hereafter. It takes a sort of strange pleasure in present sorrows, if out of them it sees that joy will afterwards result. This is the happiness that alone deserves the name in this present life. This is the happiness of the saints and of all who fear God.
This latter happiness is only possible if our affections are set on the things of heaven, not on those of earth. On this all depends. Without it we never can have the happiness of hope, for it is only in heaven that we can hope for happiness when life is over. Where our treasure is, there will our heart be also, and our happiness even here will be assured by our firm conviction that our desires and longings will be fulfilled. Which is the happiness at which I am aiming?
- text from Beautiful Pearls of Catholic Truth; it has the Imprimatur of Archbishop Michael Augustine Corrigan, Diocese of New York, 6 October 1897