One of my favourite comedians is Michael McIntyre- his Big Show tops my list of his work. I love ‘Celebrity Send to All’, where he borrows a celebrity’s smartphone and then sends a crazy message to all her contacts. What comes back is always made funny. It takes a person of enormous tact and wit to turn things that could be plain embarrassing into gentle, family fun.
Not everyone wants fun. St Benedict, whose Rule of Life is a reference point for the Cathedral, was not particularly keen on laughter. He did not think that his monks should be trivializing life with jest. He knew that humour could be used to hide barbed remarks and judgmental attitudes. Along with gossip and grumbling, these could have no place in a serious Christian community.
However, most of the monks I know are quick and happy to see the funny side of life, to relish its joys and absurdities, and even to notice, with wry appreciation, people’s little ways. Without this sort of laughter we would be left with a very bleak view of the world.
Even Jesus used humorous exaggeration to good effect, saying that it was harder for a camel to squeeze through the eye of a needle that for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God, and spinning a tale about a shepherd who leaves behind 99 of his flock to find a single, straying sheep.
We have now emerged from Lent – a season filled with soberness, sorrow and penitence. We have, in that season, sought to do justice to the woes of life. But now we have come to Eastertime. In Church worship, Jesus’ resurrection changes the gear from dour, purple solemnity to the whites and golds of joy. Faith in the resurrection of Jesus is faith that the worst that this world can throw at us can never defeat the power of Love.
King Charles spoke eloquently at the end of Lent of humanity’s great cruelty and kindness; but Jesus, though fully human, was never cruel, even to those who acted cruelly towards him, mocking him and crowning him in a parody of coronation. Christ’s resurrection over those who willed his death gave kindness and compassion the last laugh, and showed that his way had finally triumphed over theirs.
McIntyre’s Big Show is a celebration not only of laughter, but also of other good things such as the talent of Unexpected Stars. There is so much in this show and in our wider world to laugh about and rejoice in. And each time we laugh and celebrate the good, we defeat the powers that do us down and make us miserable.
Resurrection means the end of misery. Laughter in good spirits is a perfect expression of this season of Easter. It is a confession of faith that all will be well. Jesus has come to confront the wrong – to set things right, so that joy and gladness can win the day.
This popular Easter hymn, to a 17th century Dutch folk tune, sets a great tone to the season:
This joyful Eastertide,
away with sin and sorrow!
My Love, the Crucified,
has sprung to life this morrow:
Had Christ, who once was slain,
not burst His three-day prison,
our faith had been in vain;
but now has Christ arisen,
arisen, arisen;
but now has Christ arisen!
A very joyful Easter to you all!
Roly