By Lavoisier Fernandes –
As a millennial, God was never humorous for the majority of my life. Before he revealed something really remarkable to me and caused me to chuckle, prior to that I believed that God was very serious, a reproving God, and highly esteemed in heaven without realising that God wants us to share everything with Him and in every moment of our lives, however trivial, funny or mundane.
One of the main dogmas or teachings of the Catholic faith is the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist, something I really grappled with for many years as a practicing Catholic. I so made the decision one Friday night to seek for Catholic Eucharistic miracles on YouTube, as there were many video segments available. But from all one in particular that drew my attention—was a young priest, I had never met or known, who was describing the different Eucharistic miracles. I found him to be quite remarkable, and he raised some important points. The following day, a Saturday, I received an invitation to my brother’s housewarming celebration. My brother asked his parish priest to bless his new home because it was his first. Who was the parish priest for my brother, you ask? That was the same young priest on the Eucharistic miracles —someone I had only encountered via the YouTube video the previous night, who before to that, I had never met or known.
Now one could describe this as pure coincidence. But I thought it was God-incidence. I also saw it as a sign of God’s humour, and it made me chuckle as it was a sign and had a deeper message that encouraged me to accept and believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist.
I do not know about you, but I enjoy funny movies, innocent pranks, good banter, and humour. Of course, there are times when I overthink situations and take myself a little too seriously. I have also been informed often by those who do not know me well enough that I have a serious demeanour, which is great and a blessing in disguise, as it helps not being suspected as someone who would play an innocent prank.
Putting my personal story aside, I believe that traditionally, in the Catholic Community discourse, the spiritual benefits of laughter and good humour have not been as well-established and sometimes overlooked— alienating laughter and happiness to something not from God, as say the themes of humility, detachment, sacrifice, and repentance—whether conveyed through religious writings, preaching, or teaching. Therefore, it surprised me, that Pope Francis met on June 14, 2024, with a group of leading comedians from around the world.
Laughter and Good Humour Is a Gift from God
According to the Catholic teachings, laughter and joy are indeed gifts from God that should be embraced by Christians. Pope Francis emphasizes in his Exhortation Gaudete-Et-Exsultate that “Christian joy is usually accompanied by a sense of humour” and that “ill humour is no sign of holiness”. He encourages removing “vexation from your mind” and recognizing God’s gifts that are meant for our “enjoyment”.
Late Pope Benedict XVI similarly exhorted Christians to “transmit this joy simply: with a smile, with a kind gesture, with some small help, with forgiveness.” He states that the “deepest joy” comes from “knowing God in Christ” and that this “presence of God’s liberating joy will shine out in our lives.”
The Catechism of the Catholic Church describes the “dual dimension of the Christian liturgy” – on one hand, the Church “blesses the Father ‘for his inexpressible gift'”, while on the other hand, it “never ceases to present to the Father the offering of his own gifts.” This suggests that joy and laughter are part of the Christian’s grateful response to God’s blessings.
Many Catholic saints have considered laughter to be an integral part of nature itself. For example, the 12th-century German nun St. Hildegard of Bingen, a mystic poet and musician wrote in a poem on the power of God: “I am the rain coming from the dew, that causes the grasses to laugh with joy of life”. The 16th-century nun and mystic St. Teresa of Avila wrote in a poem, alluding to the voice of Jesus Christ as love: “Love once said to me, I know of a song, would you like to hear it? And laughter came from every brick in the street. And from every pore in the sky.”
“Humour denounces the excesses of power, gives voice to forgotten situations, highlights abuse, points out inappropriate behaviour… but without spreading alarm and terror, anxiety or fear.”
Pope Francis reminded the leading comedians from around the world in his June 14th 2024 address of the story in the book of Genesis when God promised Abraham that within a year he would have a son. He and his wife Sarah were old and childless. Pope Francis said:
“Sarah listened and laughed inwardly. For, like women, she was curious and was listening inside her tent to what her husband was doing and what he was talking about, perhaps to scold him… She heard that she would have a son within a year, and she laughed inwardly. Abraham, with some bitterness, must have done the same. “Why, at my age, don’t joke!” However, Sarah conceived and bore a son in her old age, at the time that God had set. Then Sarah said, “God has made laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh over me” (Gen 21:6). That is why they named their son Isaac, which means, “he laughs.”
Pope Francis further said to the comedians that they are in possession of “a precious gift,” that can spread peace “within hearts and between peoples, helping us to overcome difficulties and cope with daily stress.” The Holy Father went on to highlight another “miracle” of comedians, the ability to make people smile even when tackling serious issues.
“You denounce the excesses of power, give voice to forgotten situations, highlight abuses, point out inappropriate behaviour… but without spreading alarm and terror, anxiety or fear,” he told them.
“Grant me, O Lord, a Good Sense of Humour”
Whether we like it or not, we now live in a busy, fast-paced society that symbolizes the chase of ambition, success, a positive self-image, and financial gain. This world is full of quick gratification, from fast food to news headlines that hog our phones and are constantly filled with gloomy news. In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it is easy to forget the simple joy of laughter. One of the potent remedies and a counter to our stress—is that we possess the gift of laughter and good humour. It serves as a gentle reminder to embrace our inner playful and creative selves and to not take ourselves too seriously. This playful spirit invites us to explore life with open hearts and minds, finding joy in the small moments and magic in the mundane
God does indeed have a brilliant sense of humour. So, to that end let us pray for this grace and gift whilst echoing the words of St Thomas More which also happens to be Pope Francis’ prayer everyday – “Lord, give me a sense of humour”.
Lavoisier Fernandes, born and raised in Goa, is currently based in West London. His faith is “work in progress”- and a lifelong journey. He has always been fascinated by the Catholic faith thanks to his Salesian schooling and his passion is podcasting, theology, the papacy, volunteering.
He has hosted the ‘Talking Faith’ series for Heavens Road FM Catholic Radio, connecting with ordinary men and women within the Catholic faith, other faiths and examining issues affecting both Church and society and has also hosted the ‘Heart Talk’ series for Shalom World Catholic TV. In 2018 one of his podcast -Mental Health and the role of the Catholic Church was shortlisted for the Jerusalem awards in UK. Presently contributes for the Goa Diocesan magazine – Renovação, Mumbai Diocesan magazine – The Examiner, the only digital Indian Catholic portal – Indian Catholic Matters and the Faith Companion Magazine in England.
I watched Pope Francis’ interaction with the comedians as also the Impression it made on Jimmy Falon and Whoopie Goldberg. Very positive.
If we believe that Jesus was fully human ( a man like us in all things but sin) then he would surely have laughed as well.. We do know that he experienced other human emotions like anger, sorrow, disappointment, joy, rejection, abandonment etc as also basic needs like hunger and thirst. Let’s recognise the Son of Man who will gradually lead us to the Son of God. Amen.