How Serious Should a Christian Be? | Fr. Gregory Pine, O.P.

[@stevenmoreno2888]

Angels can fly because they take things lightly -GK Chesterton

[@joshuahaydon5312]

“Truly I say to you, unless you change and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:3

[@n4ughty_knight]

"Whosoever therefore shall *humble* himself as this little child, he is the greater in the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:4

[@chateaumojo]

Be like children to me is to be full of joy and love, trusting, elated by nature's beauty. We should be dancing like King David, playing music, singing, and ready to fly to heaven to see the Lord.

[@jeromevillanueva2207]

I saw the Aytona brothers of the Fathers of Mercy breakdancing. That is the answer to the question of how much fun can a Christian have.

[@FeroxMinisterium]

Hey Father! Thank you for the video! I too, am Dominican.

[@sweetbabytrae]

Very well said. A practical albeit secular example of what you’re talking about is my job at a fire/ems department. The gravity of what we need to be prepared to do at a moment’s notice is not lost on us, so we train and take our craft seriously. But a 24hour shift is a long time and some well timed silliness is exactly what’s needed to keep morale high.

[@WeAreoftheWay]

As a police officer, I wholeheartedly agree. The joy we create at work, makes it easier to remember the Joy that Jesus intended for us to find in the vocation as a whole.

[@WeAreoftheWay]

As a police officer, I wholeheartedly agree. The joy we create at work, makes it easier to remember the Joy that Jesus intended for us to find in the vocation as a whole.

[@mikesarno7973]

Thank you, Father Pine, for this video. It is the answer to a very recent prayer.

[@cortezproductions4796]

This was amazing and helpful. Thank you so much.

[@papistyah]

I have always been thinking about this topic and this video has helped me with it, thank you

[@ronaldbobeck9636]

Back home in the Wyoming Valley of NE. PA. The Polish Bobica's would say this Do Not be too happy or God will take it away. That is all I ever heard, Until Pope John Paul And he went skiing and did other fun activities.

[@Nunwannabe1234]

Awesome, thanks again Father Pine. You are delightful!!!!❤❤❤❤❤

[@tinynolamike6360]

I cannot articulate how helpful this video has been for me. It felt as though the Lord was speaking personally to me in his infinite wisdom and mercy through you and those whom you cited. Viva Cristo Rey! “Bless the Lord, O my soul!” (Psalm 103:1)

[@Llyrin]

I always felt the Lord has a sense of humor. Take hair, for example, where a man can grow a thick crop of hair on his head. But then, he finds the hair falling out, where he wants to keep it, and growing in places he never imagined he’d ever have it. That takes a real sense of humor to do that. 🙏🏻✝️

[@chateaumojo]

See Platypus.

[@Llyrin]

@@chateaumojo Good example. 😂

[@Nuns_Fret_Not]

Ahhhhh I needed this so much... it makes me want to go play soccer! LOL I don't remember the last time I had actual fun. I think I do need that!

[@alphacause]

Being so persistently serious in ones dedication to virtue, that you refuse to take breaks, can stress one to the point that one can become more susceptible to temptation. Its good to not always take oneself so seriously.

[@DanielRees-o5j]

This is wonderful Fr Gregory. I suffer from taking life too seriously sometimes so appreciate the fine words of St Thomas to encourage us to “chill out” from time to time.

[@asamtaviajando8388]

Great pace. Thank you for slowing down. Also needed to hear this. God bless you.

[@chateaumojo]

Yes, slowing down is good. Father Mike already won the fast-talker race, anyway.

[@angrypotato_fz]

I thought this one was a bit slower! And I found it easier to understand, I'm grateful too :)

[@asamtaviajando8388]

@@chateaumojo Fr Gregory doesn’t just speak fast, he goes into tangents and throws complicated ideas at us that way. It’s harder to understand in my perspective. Fr Mike might speak a bit fast, but he talks like he is talking to teens… so it isn’t as hard, in my view, anyway.

[@thethreefriends3002]

Hey Fr. Gregory, Lately I've been really getting in my head with discernment and I think I really needed these reminders 7:00, 8:25 Cheers! -A discerning Catholic in New Hampshire

[@angrypotato_fz]

11:56 The flaaaaaaaaaavour of liiiiiiife...

[@twopintsofmilk]

Another home run. God bless ❤

[@paix1234]

Thank you Fr.

[@gretchenboyle481]

This is very good!

[@Estupendomagnifico1]

In Dutch we have an expression that translates to "the bow cannot always stay strung", meaning you have to relax from time to time. I had no idea the origins of this expression came from St. Thomas Aquinas! Actually, I would say that fun is extremely important and now is a good time to address this. We live in an age where everyone takes everthing far too seriously (including entertainment) and while we are drowning in distractions; we fail to actually relax and have real fun. And real fun is not a luxury, it's just as important as all of our other needs, and in fact, I think heaven was made in large part, for us to have fun there. In fact, I believe God made us for fun more than for seriousness. It's our duty to be joyful. And besides, nothing turns people away from Christ like dour and unpleasant Christians. So... I would say fun is a must.

[@JoKaiGonZo]

Well said, Father. I'm all for modern people taking stuff, especially Christ's words, more seriously and sincerely but let's not forget that those funny little drawings of soldiers fighting snails and rabbits in the margins of medieval manuscripts were from an age of Christendom. Being a man of faith doesn't mean you can't ever play some Mario Bros or read The Hobbit after you've done your work.

[@n4ughty_knight]

I disagree because it depends on how those things influence you and how you use them. Technological addiction is a thing and modern gaming is full of subliminal messaging. So video games are dangerous physically and mentally to people who don't have awareness. Reading books on the other hand is only dangerous if the person can't discern the intention of its content. The Bible itself is really dangerous without proper instruction. Also, we don't really know the meaning behind the snails, rabbits or other creatures in medieval art...

[@Hunterr8]

St. Francis de Sales states that fun isn't bad, but to not become attached to it.

[@robertblake9892]

When asked why she didn't drink, Nancy Astor-a Christian Scientist-said "I like to KNOW whem I'm having fun !" When the various wine coolers-adult soda pop-started to be marketed and heavily advertised, the Christian Science Monitor asked why there was so much pushing of the idea that alcohol must be present and consumed to creat a spirit of conviviaity and relaxation.

[@Barbaramamato]

As I consider the decisions one makes consciously rather than out of a spontaneous reaction to situations and circumstances, what does influence how one behaves. That is maturity and that creates self discipline. As an athlete, one has a goal or overall commitment to train the body with regular discipline. As a student, one has a discipline when training the mind, in scientific methods, in a practice of law or medicine, even in practicing business or education. How does culture value the use of time? It is more agreeable to rest from these disciplines and trainings with relaxation, vacations, entertainment, hobbies. However, what is appropriate is within one's limits, one asks what is possible for my means. Most people have limited discretionary time and financial resources. Taking out a new credit card account to go on vacation might create unnecessary challenges to the sustaining of existence upon one's return. It might require a significant change, one that adds stress and further limits one's choices. How does vacation help when creating excess stress? Humor is a thorny topic because comedy in our culture is often contrary to Christian values and serves to deaden the sensitivities. Horror, a more obvious genre, might be a diversion for the unintentional Christian. It leads to normalize suffering. Sports may have a similar effect when considering the great risks athletes endure. How does culture value the quality of life and at what price? There are countless examples of the chronic bodily injuries and even early death that many aspiring professional athletes experience. This is one the way our culture accepts or ignores the cost of entertainment. Sensational sports come with high risk and include extreme mountain climbing, rock climbing, parachute jumping, rough water rafting and kayaking, etc. I, personally knew of two cyclists one was an acquaintance who both died of a broken kneck in a crash. Others suffered severe injuries, some requiring surgeries or disabilities. If humans think so little about the risks that affect them in this life, how much more difficult will be the decisions that affect eternity and have an impact on others' eternal life? The Romans and Greeks had their "games" where spectators were entertained at the expense of the suffering of others. Stories glorify adventures and spark the imagination to travel even into space at great risk. The recent underwater submarine implosion is a perfect example of an excessive desire for adventure.

[@SydneyCarton2085]

There is a time and place for it and the type of "fun" most of my peers indulge in is sitting in front of a tv watching overpaid clowns chase a ball while eating junk lol. I am not bitter about it, I have fun on my own. To each their own.

[@shlamallama6433]

"I feel the scrupulosity leaving my body!" - me if I heard this when I was struggling with this issue.

[@Catholicity-uw2yb]

POPE BENEDICT XVI: “Again and again, the very notion of saints has been caricatured and distorted, as if to be holy meant to be remote from the world, naive and joyless. Often it is thought that a saint has to be someone with great ascetic and moral achievements, who might well be revered, but could never be imitated in our own lives. How false and discouraging this opinion is! There is no saint, apart from the Blessed Virgin Mary, who has not also known sin, who has never fallen.”

[@Rabbitburnx]

My pastor would never allow being silly or goofing around. Joking around if for sinners..., im currently out of fellowship.

[@SydneyCarton2085]

Was it only during instruction? There is a time a place for seriousness and a time and place for fun.

[@Waldemarvonanhalt]

I've unironically seen people say that you should never have any sort of hobby or do any sort of recreational activity since it's a waste of time.

[@lizzietherese818]

Who ever struggles with and feel like that need an example check - St. Philip Neri

[@Justyouraverageguy172]

Basically it depends on what “fun” means to you and others. If “fun” means getting drunk, partying, and just reveling in debauchery and orgies without any care or concern especially with sex being the “ideal college social life” and broader society then yeah it’s 100% evil both the “fun” and the community of people around fostering the sin and that “idea of fun.”

[@taraelizabethdensley9475]

Sneaking a whoopie cushion onto the chair my psychiatrist is about to sit down on. Always fun 😂

[@kevinkelly2162]

Fun is fine just as long as it is not 'horse play'.

[@avengingme]

Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel said that anything that is not about Jesus is evil. "Just having fun" is not a good thing, apparently. I'm not sure what to make of it.

[@flamesfan1417]

It might be helpful to think about our final and proximate ends. Our final end is God and our actions should be directed to Him, but acting for proximate ends that aren’t God per se should still be in pursuit of our final end. For example, playing a sport with friends can help us increase in fraternity, which aids us in the spiritual life. Playing music for enjoyment is a good form of leisure because it refreshes the soul and directs us to beauty. We should have fun and enjoy life, but doing so should still be ordered to loving God. Just my thoughts, God bless.

[@avengingme]

@@flamesfan1417 Thanks!

[@user-qg8cj4zh5r]

I’m afraid you misinterpreted him. By his knowledge all of his sermons would be “evil” since he chimes off and frequently gives stories or small jokes to make the crown laugh and be more engaging, which is not wrong at all. But I think he meant that Jesus is good/mercy/salvation and that would mean anything that’s NOT Jesus or about him is the opposite, evil. But I don’t think he means literally if you’re not worshiping the Lord in every single thing you do, that it is evil

[@n4ughty_knight]

This isn't the Eastern Syriac tradition so we can't really be sure what he was talking about. We need context and what it means according to his tradition.

[@avengingme]

@@user-qg8cj4zh5r Maybe so. I only recently came across him and saw a 10 minute excerpt. I may have been missing something.

[@isabelrinon]

I'd love to read your book about prudence. Has it been translated to Spanish?.... why not? 😂

[@borntodothis8778]

Where in the Summa again does Aq talk about play?

[@janelleg597]

Why is this even a question

[@francescaderimini2931]

What would the Medjugorie visionaries say about this?

[@VACatholic]

Father how do you square the idea that we are the only creatures with a spiritual and bodily nature with what a lot of apologists are saying about aliens?

[@captainch6182]

As someone who is agnostic on the existence of extraterrestrial life: why would God create innumerable species of plants, innumerable species of brute animals, innumerable species of angels, and yet only one species of rational animal?

[@batglide5484]

@@captainch6182 I don’t know if that is a question that deserves an answer. If you believe what anthropologists are learning about human ancestors and other hominids, then the claim that God only created one rational creature would be false prima facie. Also, there’s no real working theory on how life began in the universe. Until a scientist has empirical evidence demonstrating life coming from non-life, I don’t think I need to listen to any kind of scientific speculation on how “nearly certain” it must be that there is other life in the universe. We have no deductive reason to believe there’s other life in the universe, and we have no inductive reason to believe there’s other life in the universe. As much as an atheist would fight me on this, there’s more evidence for God than there is for the existence of extraterrestrial life since there’s no physical or logical evidence for the existence of extraterrestrial life.

[@VACatholic]

@@captainch6182 Because humans were created in the Image of God? Why wouldn't He? I don't understand the question to be honest.

[@luke2346luke]

No fun, ever! *Jks*

[@BigIdeaSeeker]

I’m an atheist now, but when I was a Christian- especially in youth group- I was always frustrated at how Christians lacked seriousness about their faith. For example, if we actually believe the almighty creator of the universe wrote/provided a book/message for us, why don’t we read it? Like really, really read it? If we are to live in all eternity with him in a perfect existence of sorts, why do we fret over the most trivial things? Why are church parking lots full of minivans and SUVs? As a non-believer now, it all makes sense- god doesn’t exist (at least in the Judeo-Christian sense).

[@avengingme]

What does a minivan or suv have to do with your strange take?

[@BigIdeaSeeker]

@@avengingme That’s short script for materialism. Of course such cars are practical, but it’s the shiny and new, the extravagant. More to the point it’s the striving for the newest, the best, the McMansions, the Costco membership, the social media lifestyles. Minivan envy was a thing in my church in the 80s when I was in high school. If anything, American Christianity is even more obsessed with more materialism and superficiality today. Trumpism if you like.

[@alldoneup]

You could have been that person to set that example. Why didn't you? Many saints did, and that's why they will continue to be remembered for helping draw others closer to God. Sad that you fell away instead. Everyone needs God. They say they don't but the first thing a person does when their lives are at risk is to look to heaven. They know ultimately they can't depend solely on themselves or others. That's why people in their later years return back to the church, to God. They didn't figure it out because nothing makes sense without God. It's just your opinion and my opinion, no truth...but we all know the truth matters.

[@BigIdeaSeeker]

@@alldoneup I mean, in a manner I tried to live like that person (though of course desire to be remembered or honored is not part of that). I used weekend nights to witness on the streets, shared the Gospel everywhere (while being sensitive to people who didn’t was to hear it), went ton Bible college with the intention of being a missionary, but decided teaching in inter city public schools was a better fit (or my calling as I thought at the time). I hung out with non-Christians mostly. Christian materialism was not my reason for turning away. I actually left the faith in 2008 through Bible and apologetics reading and prayer (asking God to guide me as I sought answers to questions). In the end it became clear to me that Christianity is not true. To you that’s sad, but to me it’s not a problem. I have made my adjustments and have a flourishing and meaningful life now. Cheers.

[@dailybread300]

@@BigIdeaSeeker. God/Jesus/Holy Spirit are VERY real. I’d err on the side of caution. When you meet HIM you will regret the stance you took for the sake of this short lifespan here.

[@CedarloreForge]

Anyone even asking this question has clearly never read the Bible. This is what happens when you put “church history” and the opinions of old fat men over Scripture and Christ himself, who literally invented fun….

[@FreeNationRadio]

Fr. Pine is saying that St. Thomas Aquinas, an old fat man, is saying properly ordered fun is good and a refreshment for when our bodies and souls are weary! This old fat man is right :)

[@CedarloreForge]

@@FreeNationRadio Sure, and the fact that some catholics even ask this question and that this video even has to be made says a lot about catholicism. Not much "joy of the Lord"

[@jordan12962]

My brother in Christ, forgive my strong language, but your comment here is a narrow sighted strawman and caricature of the Catholic Faith. A Catholic asking this question is, granted, ignorant of the faith in this respect and perhaps falling into the sin of scrupulosity. But it is a sign that they are seeking God's truth and taking their faith in Jesus seriously. All Christians should find that admirable, even if they disagree with the doctrines that individual believes. I also find that your implication that only Catholics ask this question is absurd. Surely you do not think that there has never been a Protestant or Orthodox Christian who has also asked this question. Your statement seems rather condescending. If you are seeking to change parts and minds, hoping to lead people to truth, I suggest you try another approach. God Bless

[@FreeNationRadio]

@@CedarloreForge Dominicans analyze the Faith through the lens of reason, which God gave us as a gift to examine the world around us and our relationship to it. Asking questions and answering them isn't a dig against Catholicism; we've dealt with a LOT of questions. Whole councils in the early Church dealt with issues that came up, or various interpretations of Scripture. A daily conversion and self-examination are good things, and being serious when it's important and having fun when necessary are a part of our lives as Christians. The lives of the Saints and Blesseds in the Church are full of adventure and daring. We are a joyful Faith and Fr. Pine emphasizes that through a Thomistic lens. I have a lot more happiness as a Catholic than when I had left the Faith! His yoke is easy, and the burden, light.

[@CedarloreForge]

@@jordan12962 An actual Christian who reads all of Scripture for themselves and knows Jesus’s free-grace and love personally has never wondered or feared that them enjoying life and/or having fun might somehow be wrong or a sin. A question like that only comes from a manmade-dogma and worldview that’s riddled with fear legalism and shame, none of which is of Christ. The type of worldview that makes people fearful of joy/fun is one that tells people they need to earn their salvation with “good works” because apparently Jesus’s good works are not good enough, and despite him saying “it is finished” on the cross: shame-based religion says he did not finish his work and that YOU have to earn what Christ said was freely giving. Which is also funny because Paul said even his best works were “filthy rags”. But I digress I don’t mind if I don’t change anyone’s mind, just pointing out the facts. Works-based shame-based legalistic man-made religion like Catholicism that tells people to “do more” leads to a miserable life or worse especially if the person is “faithful” so such lies over Christ. Thank God Jesus didn’t call us to bend the knee to Rome and corrupt popes. Instead he made it Crystal-clear that HE is the only way the truth and the life, through no one else is it found and through no other work/sacrifice than his, and thank God that his salvation is freely given by faith with no sad/depressing need to feel guilty or shameful when we experience joy and fun in the life he gives us.