In a heartfelt and well-attended event last night at the Santa Maria della Neve Auditorium in Shelter of CannavòThe biblical scholar Paolo De Martino presented his new one book titled “God is Happiness”a work that accompanies the reader on an evangelical journey in search of the secret of true happiness.
The author, a religious teacher, is married and has two children. He obtained a baccalaureate in Philosophy from the Salesian Pontifical University and in Theology from the Pontifical Theological Faculty of Southern Italy. He is an associate member of the ABI (Italian Biblical Association) and, ordained as a permanent deacon in 2015, is responsible for the Biblical Apostolate Sector of the diocese of Turin. Through meetings, conferences and social networks, De Martino passionately promotes knowledge of the Bible and listening to the word of God.
The meeting
The meeting, moderated by the parish priest of the Parish of San Nicola di Bari and Santa Maria della Neve (includes the hamlets of Prumo, Riparo, Cannavò) Don Giovanni Gattuso, saw the participation of an audience who asked numerous questions to the author. In his book, Paolo De Martino takes inspiration from some evangelical passages to show how we can consider the Gospels as authentic maps for the treasure hunt of happiness. The author underlines how Christianity, despite the symbol of the cross which may seem to indicate a joyless faith, actually speaks profoundly of God’s love for life and his creatures.
The words of the author
He states: “It is precisely the cross that says to what extent God loves life, to what extent God loves creatures. Out of love Jesus agrees to die. The path to happiness is the “duty of love”, because love always goes to the end. It is on the cross that Christ demonstrated its measure. The strange thing is that Jesus died, not that he was resurrected (he was God!). Very often we think that the centrality of the cross in the Christian experience consists in a sort of attachment to suffering. Anyone who lives in this perspective has completely misunderstood the evangelical message.”
De Martino explains that to truly understand Christian happiness, it is necessary to give it the right definition and dimension. Happiness, according to him, is not an ephemeral joy, nor is it determined by success, well-being or strong emotions. The Gospels, in fact, clearly show that happiness does not derive from something, but from someone. «You are not happy with something, but with someone. Christian happiness is a journey made with someone. It is not having, but loving and feeling loved”, states the author, inviting readers to rediscover the profound meaning of happiness through the words of the Gospel.
The presentation of “God is Happiness” offered a precious opportunity to reflect on these themes, thanks also to Paolo De Martino’s ability to convey his message with clarity and passion. The book promises to be an enlightening guide for anyone who wishes to embark on a path of seeking true happiness through the Christian faith. After the Eucharistic celebration, De Martino concluded the evening with dinner in the square in Cannavò organized by the pallbearers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Graces and Carmel of the parish.
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