KMT 2018 nr 4 Download PDF

Peace of everyday life and lasting happiness. A few comments about expressing inexpressible

Cite: , Spokój codzienności i szczęście trwałe. Kilka uwag o wyrażaniu niewyrażalnego, "Kultura - Media - Teologia", 2018( 35) nr 4, s. 77-88.

DOI: 10.21697/kmt.35.5

In the article, the author raises an intriguing problem of incommensurability in the presentation of human suffering and the joy of a quiet life in literature and art which seems to be of inadequate interest to artists. The re lection concerns the evaluation of attempts to express everyday and (ever)lasting happiness in the language of literature and art. The author might seem to interpret the joy of a quiet life – the “peace of everyday life” (A. Kamieńska) – as a kind of happiness that seems so natural and obvious that it does not evoke more emotions and, as a result, remains neglected as a factor of artistic inspiration. Whereas, in fact, he can also invite to contemplation and – in theological terms – have a multifaceted relationship with eschatology and even the paschal mystery (death and resurrection). All the more so because the eternal longing of humanity to possess lasting happiness breaks down in a traumatic way into the inevitability of death. Therefore, man is constantly on the lookout for a more permanent, immortal happiness. Without God, however, it is impossible because He abolishes the limitation of time and space through love (Deus caritas est – 1 J 4,8b). In the perspective of Christian faith eternal happiness is revealed in the everyday life lived by the “pure heart” in the spirit of Jesus’ Eight Blessings.

About authors

Michał Janocha

ORCID: (nieznany)