Thursday, March 05, 2009

Gloominess - Neri says it is a danger to the soul

To counter the world's doom and gloom (see Chronicles of Atlantis) and start a new mimetic trend - say in folly...

From Gospel Chivalry Franciscan Romanticism by Mark of Whitstable:
Folly for Christ does not disparage true wisdom but conformity to worldly wisdom. It is the antidote to 'men pleasing' about which the apostle Paul gives warning (cf. Romans 7). In a special way it points to the incarnation signifying the foolishness of God as when Christ was stripped naked, clothed in mocking purple and became the butt of scornful laughter. Fools for Christ are thus driven mad by love, but a love for God who was made known by the folly of the Cross. One particular jester like saint was Philip Neri (1515-1595) whose pranks and merriment seemed to increase as he increased in holiness. He would wear his clothes inside out, receive dignatories on the commode (I love this one), and when overhearing people talk of his holiness would give the most outrageous chicken impressions. One of his favorite works of reference was the joke book of the fifteenth-century priest buffoon Piovano Arlotto. Like St Francis he really considered gloominess a danger to the soul. p 88
"Cheerfulness strengthens the heart and makes us persevere in a good life. Therefore the servant of God ought always to be in good spirits." -Saint Philip Neri

1 comment:

Athos said...

Ah, my beloved confirmation namesake! Good show, brother Aramis. I'm all for being a fool for Christ’s sake.