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Writer's pictureSarah Raad

Humour

“Hell has never had sense of humour or a true smile.” (Saint Bernard).

The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist (Pierre Puvis de Chavannes)

Saint Paul wrote about joy.


He wrote, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4).


And I have been thinking about that joy of that Saint, who was persecuted, exiled, imprisoned and finally martyred during his life, following his conversion to Christianity…


After all, it is a very strange thing to consider when I stop for a moment to reflect on that proclamation of JOY made by a man who lived such a difficult life… How could he be joyful if he was suffering and suffering unfairly because he was being persecuted? How could he possibly have joy in his life if he was suffering in that way? And yet, he was not only joyful, but he rejoiced and called others to rejoice. And I have been reflecting on that joy because it is otherworldly…


Saint John the Baptist was also a man who suffered exile, persecution, and even martyrdom. “And the multitudes asked him, ‘What then shall we do?’ And he answered them, ‘He who has two coats, let him share with him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise.’ Tax collectors also came to be baptised, and said to him, ‘Teacher, what shall we do?’ And he said to them, ‘Collect no more than is appointed you.’ Soldiers also asked him, ‘And we, what shall we do?’ And he said to them, ‘Rob no one by violence or by false accusation, and be content with your wages...I baptise you with water; but he who is mightier than I is coming, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie; He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.”


And three times, Saint John the Baptist was asked, “What shall we do?” And three times he told the people to give something up. And in that detachment, in that separation from greed, that is where the joy is.

Saint Bernard once said to his sister, Humbelina, “I see that you will be a saint.” And she replied, “Really? How do you know?” Saint Bernard replied, “It's obvious! You never lose your sense of humour and always smile. That's a sign: Hell has never had sense of humour or a true smile.”


And I have been reflecting on that today as I go about my day, because it occurs to me that I carry far too much. I carry grudges and greed and worry. And in fact, God is calling me to not carry anything at all. In fact, God is calling me to walk onwards completely detached from every worldly thing, carrying only my good humour to steady me on the road.


And it occurs to me today, that if I could only hold onto my good humour, then and only then would I be able to move forward as God intended me to.


For with prayer, I stand on Holy Ground where everything is clear. Here. At the Foot of the Cross.


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