Wisdom of Saint Philip Neri

Further to yesterday's quote from Saint Philip, he continues,

"Tears are no sign that a man is in the grace of God, neither must we infer that a man who weeps when he speaks of holy and devout things necessarily leads a holy life."

This is a valuable counsel, especially for our times. Many "devout" men are really just sentimental. I'm not saying real men are tough guys who never weep. No, I'm talking about the guy who tells you about his "goosebumps" when relating a "holy moment" or who, as Saint Philip says, weeps when speaking of holy things. Many in our area have a tendency to say, "Oh, that's a holy guy." In the quote above, Saint Philip Neri (who was no stranger to the gift of tears) warns that is not so. As we heard in yesterday's quote, it is by a man's solid virtue, seen in his words and deeds, that a man is truly known.

- Fr. D.B. Thompson