Funny

In chapter 23, Jeremiah the prophet reports God going on a riff about phony people who claim to speak for God (prophets.) It seems that a lot of baloney (which isn’t kosher) is being churned out by religious hacks who are leading faithful people away from God. And this pisses God off. In the middle of all this, God says,

Suppose one of the people or one of the prophets or priests asks you, 'What prophecy has the Lord burdened you with now?' You must reply, 'You are the burden!

Jeremiah 23:33

What a comeback. That’s funny. God’s funny. Uppity religious folks are put in their place.

Jesus loved puns. I cannot picture a God of Life who would not employ humor. Humorless people who claim to speak for God are missing something of the very life God promises.

Take God seriously. Take faith seriously. But let’s not take ourselves too seriously. Humor has a place in a rich life of faith. Humor makes unbearable days more bearable. Humor is a gift from God. Not all people who claim to speak for God do. And, sometimes, these people, despite their gravity, are funny.

I bet Jesus laughed when Peter farted.

I pray you laugh to tears today as part of a good spiritual discipline.