July 24, 2007
Lightness
Along with this often dotty absurdity currently pervading the Anglican Communion, we need a lot more humor and a lot less comedy.
Comedy is not humor. The difference is between the one that evaporates as soon as it hits the fan and the other that endures. It’s the difference between the simply ludicrous and the ironic. Both have their place, but the one is merely ephemeral and passing, the other, lasting.
Humor reveals then commands. Comedy diverts. That is, of course, part of its refreshing joy. On the other hand, humor reminds us that everybody sooner or later and maybe more often than not is exhausted, wicked, afraid, frustrated, and desperately alone. That’s humor’s perspective and restorative power, its healing energy over life’s menaces. As such, humor, like the parables of Jesus, identifies and redeems.
Humor always wishes us well, and there is much to say for that. At times, it may condemn us and make us livid, often embarrass us, but always instruct us. Humor informs us, not only with selected data, but by shaping us and preparing us to receive it. Humor connects us with ourselves, our neighbor, with the roots of life, and indeed, with God and the awesome mystery of beginnings and endings, purpose and destiny, love and fear.
In all this present malaise and distracting obsession with ourselves, how lovely it could be were we somehow able instead to embrace in good humor the gospel’s gift of the unbearable lightness of being… and then, as is our true service, offer it to a world also sorely in need.
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