Brother Juniper
Without defense.
A favorite among the first followers of St. Francis of Assisi is Brother Juniper. He was possibly the most humble of all the original friars - although that would be hard to determine for certain.
Juniper liked to humiliate himself by taking his clothes off. One time he removed his habit, breeches and all - tied the habit into a bundle with his cord and put it around his neck, placing the breeches on his head. He went to the marketplace in Viterbo that way. (Brother Juniper was originally sent by Holy Father Francis to Viterbo to found a friary there.) On his way to the town square, the blessed friar was cruelly mistreated; pushed and shoved, stoned with rocks and gravel and mocked, as if he were a madman. After being tormented for a long time he returned to the friary.
The friars were indignant when they saw him because he had exposed himself thus; indeed they were scandalized by his behavior, convinced he had lost his mind. They threatened him with expulsion, with prison, with the discipline, and with other horrid penalties.
Little Brother Juniper listened with great joy, and answered eagerly, “You are right! I deserve all of those punishments and still greater ones for giving such scandal.”
This entry in the Fioretti concludes with: “To the glory of Christ. Amen.”
July 29th, 2008 at 5:23 am
+JMJ+
Terry, did you deliberately put this one right after (or depending on how you read ‘blogs, right before) the “Are you insane?” post? =P
July 29th, 2008 at 7:14 am
I feel that his mindset was the same as the liberal mind. If it is good for me, then I will do it. It sounds like he was only thinking of himself.
Giving no consideration for others around them. He brought embarrassment to the community, and flashing children so to speak is not good. Making a problem for the other brothers was inconsiderate. I hold my reputation dear, and he should have thought of the reputation of the rest of the brothers. You just can’t do whatever you want to whenever you want.
It sounds to me like he did become as a little child to enter into the gates of heaven.
He was goofy ,and did something stupid . Just like one of my kids might do.
Even so I have no doubt that he is a far greater Saint than I can ever strive to become. I am beginning to think it is an impossible dream of mine.An ultimate goal never to be achieve. Even so I will try again today.
July 29th, 2008 at 8:07 am
ok, if true, that’s just kookoo.
July 29th, 2008 at 9:25 am
Belinda - “Even so I will try again today.” Exactly - this from Francis De Sales today: “There is no better way of getting there in the end in the spiritual life than always starting over again and never thinking you have done enough.”
July 29th, 2008 at 9:26 am
Jeron - just think about it… I once heard of a bartender…
July 29th, 2008 at 9:27 am
Enbreth - Yes I did. It goes with my fools for Christ series.
July 29th, 2008 at 9:40 am
Nelson, don’t you be tellin’ my “T” … LOL!
July 29th, 2008 at 11:08 am
Mr.Terry ,You are as kind and dear, as any brother in Christ could be. I can’t believe that you haven’t blocked me by now, seriously, and I don’t understand why I am stuck on your blogs, when apparently there are thousands out there.I can’t explain it.
Your loss . I am sorry. I can’t seem to look away . It’s my O.C.D I think. Or maybe something that I don’t
understand yet.
This O.C.D. mindset that I have is killing me. I can never do enough ,be good enough, serve enough, pray enough etc.
At some point I will have to face God .I am obsessed with this image. I can’t wait yet I am filled with fear ,and it could happen at any moment since we don’t die in order.
I know that my L.A. kid is going to be part of an exciting crowd , and she cant understand why I wouldn’t want the world on a platter too so to speak. I don’t want anything ,but God.
If God chooses me back , then I feel sorry for him because I am a poor spokeswoman.
Now when you say LosAngeles school of cinematic arts. Be sure to say it in a nasally sort of way full of distain ,and lacking compassion ,and understanding for the little people like Thurston Howell the third’s voice.