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Published on Tuesday, 01 November 2011 15:00

In his new book, Between Heaven and Mirth, Rev. James Martin tells the story of a Jesuit friend who went to confess his sins to his superior.  

Mike took his seat and prepared for his admission of guilt.
“Father,” he said, “I confess excessive levity.”
The priest glowered at Mike, paused, and said, “All levity is excessive!”
(from, Between Heaven and Mirth: Why Joy, Humor, and Laughter are at the Heart of the Spiritual Life, by James Martin).

It might be a rather funny joke, if the elder priest wasn’t being so serious.  Then again, maybe it’s funny anyway.  Either way, I’m surprised sometimes how people think there’s no room in the church for humor and how often church folk can take a joke wrong.  

I haven’t read Martin’s entire book, but just the title has me thinking.  Maybe laughter and humor are at the heart of a spiritual life.  Without them, I’m not sure we can truly delight in the wonder of God’s creation.  Humor requires us looking for the unexpected and the surprising in life and so does recognizing God.  Maybe being able to laugh, and especially laugh at ourselves, is an important skill in developing a humility that draws us close to God.  And if not, it certainly can’t hurt.

A few years back I let off a sarcastic comment in the midst of a clergy meeting.  One of my colleagues quipped back in all seriousness, “You know, sarcasm is the lowest form of humor.”  It put me in my place and shut me up.  But now I think I’m thankful that God has blessed me with at least that, even if it is the lowest form.  Because if I can laugh at the lowest of jokes, I most certainly will at the greatest, and somewhere in between, I may just realize that God is in them both.