Philip Neri

Discover the Surprising Connection Between Laughter and Holiness

/ chicoinematt

Did you know that laughter can bring you closer to God? 🙏

Okay, okay, hear me out: as someone who has suffered from serious-syndrome, I used to think that holiness and humor were mutually exclusive.

Then I encountered a quote by Maya Angelou:

“I don’t trust anyone who doesn’t laugh.”

😳😮😆

Bold claim I know.

But it got me thinking.

Laughter Leads to Joy

Smile like Pope Francis today. 🙂

And the more I thought about it, the more I realized that laughter is essential to a joyful and holy life.

This occurred from I was reading The Wizard of Oz to my daughter.

I witnessed the delight of whimsy and wonder in my child’s eyes as I was reading about Dorothy’s strange journey.

Telling her about the cyclone, Kalidahs—hybrid bear-tiger creatures, yes these are a thing that the movie left out…

(maybe that’s where the ♫ Lions, and Tigers, and Bears…oh my! ♫ came from)

…and the encounter with the Witched Witch renewed my own spirit of wonder and awe.

When life throws curveballs, sometimes the best thing to do is laugh it off, just like Mark Twain said, “The human race has only one effective weapon and that is laughter!”

And let’s be real, life throws a lot of curveballs.

Humor is a Shield during a Stressful Week

Some weeks feel like every day is a “Monday”. 😭

But I’ve found that humor can help us face those challenges with grace and joy.

That’s why I’m passionate about creating Catholic content that is both faithful and fun.

Laughter limits one’s pride and makes others comfortable around you. More open to receive the Good News. 🙏

From reading “The Wizard of Oz” with my daughter to discovering unexpected moments of wonder and awe, I’ve experienced firsthand how humor can lead to holiness.

There’s no better saint that combined faith and funniness than Philip Neri. 😆🙂🙏

Saint Mother Therese put it this way, “Joy is the net of love by which we catch souls.”

Did Jesus call his disciples (then and now) to be fishers of men (humanity)?? 🤔

If you want unboring content that’ll make you laugh and bring you closer to God and capture your audience’s attention faster than 🐻🐻 to 🍯, DM or email me at chicoine.matt@live.com.”

P.S. You’ll only regret it if you’re a curmudgeon.

 🌟😂🙏

Thank you for sharing!

Finding Joy–My Accidental Discovery of St. Philip Neri

/ chicoinematt

Saint Philip Neri

 

 

 

 

 

 

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on April 4, 2018.

The great Italian saint Philip Neri once said,

“We are not saints yet, but we, too, should beware. Uprightness and virtue do have their rewards, in self-respect and in respect from others, and it is easy to find ourselves aiming for the result rather than the cause. Let us aim for joy, rather than respectability. Let us make fools of ourselves from time to time, and thus see ourselves, for a moment, as the all-wise God sees us.”

How easy it is for us to perform acts of charity in hopes of the reward? I struggled with this temptation recently– instead of serving others out of love of God and neighbor, I oftentimes think of the long-term benefits I may receive—the favor may be returned, customers act nicer towards me, work is lessened in the time-run, etc. Seeking the results, the cause [as Philip Neri put it] leads to joylessness.

I started this blog bring joy into my life and into my readers lives as well. Pursuing my daily feed, I came across a post about the patron saint of joy—Philip Neri. His name and patronage stuck with me throughout the workday. “I need to learn more about this saint of joy!” I thought to myself driving back home from work.

As soon as my wife went to bed, I google searched Philip Neri and discovered the along with being the patron saint of joy he is an advocate for humor and, interestingly enough, U.S. Special Forces!

I’ll be incorporating more quotes, writings, and wisdom from St. Philip Neri over the rest of the year. I am excited for this journey to deepen my relationship with God through the witness of Philip Neri this year.

joy image

 

 

 

 

 

 

I will close with a prayer to incorporate into my spiritual arsenal (and I hope you do too!):

Prayer to Saint Philip Neri

Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice! (Phil. 4:4)

O holy St. Philip Neri, patron saint of joy, you who trusted Scripture’s promise that the Lord is always at hand and that we need not have anxiety about anything, in your compassion heal our worries and sorrows and lift the burdens from our hearts. We come to you as one whose heart swells with abundant love for God and all creation. Hear us, we pray, especially in this need (make your request here). Keep us safe through your loving intercession, and may the joy of the Holy Spirit which filled your heart, St. Philip, transform our lives and bring us peace. Amen.

Related Links

Want to be more joyful? Pray this prayer to St. Philip Neri

3 Reasons Philip Neri Should Be Your Patron Saint

Thank you for sharing!