THE HOLY GIFT OF
LAUGHTER
I'm
my own worst enemy. And need to increasingly learn and take time to
laugh at myself and the rest of the world. I know this but usually
put it off and dwell on the 'deep and meaningful' things of this
life. This was brought again, thankfully, to my attention last week
when I chanced to turn on Turner Classic Movies and caught the end of
a delightful old flick, Sullivan's Journey,
staring Jimmy Stewart, one of my favourites. He played the part of an
activist who's goal it was to right all wrongs, involved with many
causes, always on the side of the poor and oppressed. Right on!
The focus of the
plot was when he was in the wrong place at the wrong time and was
unjustly convicted of a crime and spent several years doing hard time
in a hard place. There, he learned the power of laughter, even admist
the misery.
Eventually his
innocence was proved and he was released, upon which, he devoted his
life to comedy, realizing that maybe in doing that, he was more able
to help people.
This speaks to me
in that I'm called in my soul to do and proclaim 'Love', however
understood. And this, most often, gets in the way of my being a fun
person to be around. I take things way too seriously. Judy often
urges me to have another drink, or a 'brownie'. During this time of
year, Advent in the old church calender, when traditional
Christianity is supposed to be urging people to be open to newness
and life, humour is needed the most. For churches of all sorts are
the most closed to anything new. Tradition reigns. In most ways, this
is the time of year most closed to anything different. And hence, of
course, we miss anything of the Holy, again.
Yet, I need to be
able to laugh. If I didn't, I would sink to despair. And those who
despair are no good to anyone or any cause.
So, help me to
laugh, especially in this season. Friends and enemies alike, offer me
another drink. If I'm sitting in a corner, you have my permission to
invite me over. Indeed, please prod me into a conversation. In the
doing, in the sharing, even in casual converstation, lies seeds of
sharing and the 'holy'. I know this, but I resist. Shared laughter is
a gift from God, however understood. In this season, let us all know
this and share it, helping each other to set aside the bigger
pictures that, however good, often keep us from living and sharing
our lives to the fullest. We need to tend the trees, even while we
have the whole forest in our thoughts.
To all, however
you see and name this time before Christmas, please try to share in
laughter and joy. And, if possible, include me. I need it.
Anthony
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