Let’s Get Foolish
Among the many types of saints, there is one particular kind of saint that intrigues me. A fool-for-Christ in known for his or her apparent insanity and yet is considered to be holy. Here is a little summary of a fool-for-Christ:
One form of the ascetic Christian life is called foolishness for the sake of Christ. The fool-for-Christ set for himself the task of battling within himself the root of all sin, pride. In order to accomplish this he took on an unusual style of life, appearing as someone bereft of his mental faculties, thus bringing upon himself the ridicule of others. In addition he exposed the evil in the world through metaphorical and symbolic words and actions. He took this ascetic endeavour upon himself in order to humble himself and to also more effectively influence others, since most people respond to the usual ordinary sermon with indifference. The spiritual feat of foolishness for Christ was especially widespread in Rus’. (Excerpted from The Law of God, Holy Trinity Monastery, Jordanville, NY: 1993)
The whole idea of being a fool for Christ is rooted in part from St. Paul’s exhortations to the Christians in Corinth: “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18); and “If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise” (1 Corinthians 3:18). Fools-for-Christ took to an extreme the fact that the wisdom of God appears as foolishness to the wisdom of the world.
I don’t know about you, but part of me really doesn’t like to appear foolish in front of others. It is displeasure. But, in some way, we are all called to that foolishness that St. Paul writes about and the fools-for-Christ practiced to an extreme. Like the saints, we mustn’t be afraid to bring the Gospel to the world, and we mustn’t be afraid to appear foolish.
Is there some small way we can put into practice what St. Paul writes about the saints practiced? I believe there is the Nativity of Christ (Christmas) is approaching (less than 40 days away). In the celebration of Christmas, our society has forgotten some keys aspects of this feast, and has embraced some things contrary to what Christmas is all about. I am wondering if we are willing to “appear foolish” in our approach to Christmas this year and in the years to come?
In the Gospel of Matthew, we read of the wise men that came to Bethlehem searching for a king. “And so they left, and on the way they saw the same star they had seen in the East. When they saw it, so happy they were, what joy was theirs … They brought out their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, and presented them to Him” (Matthew 2:9-11). They had found the King of kings born in a little corner of the world in a cave, resting in a manger, a food trough for the animals. And it was to this King – born in all humility and littleness – that they fell and prostrated before Him. The star in the East led to them to great joy!
When I was a small boy, I remember asking my parents, who then asked my parish priest: “How long did the star in the East stay there? Did it ever set?” The answer was that they did not know. This question still persists today as I meditate on the Mystery of the Incarnation. And the only answer is the same as before: I do not know if the star ever set – materially. But I do know one thing that is true for all of us, that the star of the East still shines brightly for the Church and for each of us interiorly. The star of the East still draws us to Jesus Christ as it did for the wise men some 2,000 years ago. And this star leads us to great joy as well!
In a mystical way, when we became Christians at our baptism, and became incorporated into the Body of Christ, we were illuminated with the Light that never sets. In some sense, we, each of us individually, and together as a body, are that Star of the East that stills shines. By our words, our actions, our thoughts and our prayers, we are the ones who shine unto this world, pointing to the Babe Who is the very Incarnate Love of God.
My friends, look for this star in your hearts. Show this star to your spouses, to your children and your children’s children. Teach them of the joy of Christmas, a joy which is much more than any emotional high, a joy which endures forever, a joy routed in the hope of salvation. And may the Lord provide every opportunity for this! Let’s get foolish!
Be assured of my prayers for you.
