John 21:4-12
Introduction
Since this is our first Holy Humor Sunday, it’s important to have some background to this day and assure you I am not making this up. There really are a lot of churches around the world that engage in this practice of Holy Humor Sunday.
The custom was first rooted in the teachings of early church theologians Augustine, Gregory of Nyssa, and John Chrysostom. And the premise they gave for this obtuse liturgical observance came from the belief that the first Easter, and all subsequent Easter observances and celebrations can include in them the idea that by raising Jesus from the dead God played pulled off the ultimate a practical joke on the devil. You think it’s over? “You think you won? Go take a look in the tomb and think again.” And so when they spoke about this ultimate practical joke of making evil look the fool, these early theologians called it “Risus Paschalis”—the Easter Laugh.
From this concept and its teachings, for the next several centuries, Eastern Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant churches celebrated “Risus Paschalis”—the Easter Laugh, from the Monday after Easter Sunday through the Sunday after Easter, which was called “Bright Sunday.” During this week after Easter the church enjoyed “…days of joy and laughter with parties and picnics in celebration of Jesus’ resurrection. Throughout the celebration churchgoers and pastors would play practical jokes on each other, drench each other with water, tell jokes, sing, and dance.”
Isn’t that one of the best pictures of the Church we have ever heard? It’s amazing to feed the poor, clothe the naked, heal the sick, and give shelter to those in need. It’s incredible to share the Good News of Jesus with the lost and forsaken. But isn’t it just as amazing and incredible to hear the Church filled with joy and laughter? It is, unfortunately, not something we do hear a lot of much anymore…is it? But why not? Why aren’t we filled with joy? Why aren’t we laughing at those abusing power losing the fight they thought they won? “Risus Paschalis”—the Easter Laugh…the source of joy and the reason for celebration.
And that is the truth of God’s Good News—a message of joy and celebration because God defeated death when it appeared that death had defeated God. This should make us smile, and laugh, and celebrate… but often times in the Church we don’t tend to think of the Christian life as being hilarious or even very much fun. It all makes me wonder… If the Church were to embrace, just a little bit more than not at all, the “Risus Paschalis”—the Easter Laugh, what might those who are nominally religious or non-religious think about those who follow Jesus? How might they begin to see the Church? Because after all… Who couldn’t use a good laugh?
Move 1
As I began to plan and prepare for this worship service, I thought about all the different ways we could go. Admittedly, I loved the idea of the pastor playing practical jokes on the church, but I wasn’t so sure how I felt about the church playing practical jokes on the pastor. But since this is our first time doing this I thought I would share some fun stories that fit well into this Holy Humor Sunday. And you’ll be glad to know one even has yours truly at the butt of it.
First, for his church’s Holy Humor Sunday celebration, Pastor Mike Miller swapped out his robe and vestments for a baseball uniform, complete with his Bible tucked lovingly into his ball glove. The pulpit was his “pitching mound” where he used baseball analogies aplenty to “pitch” his sermon.
Now just off the chancel were two church Elders also dressed in baseball uniforms—one with a Bible lovingly tucked into their ball glove, the other intently starring down the preacher. After just a couple of minutes of Pastor Miller’s sermon, the intensely watching, baseball uniform clad Elder bounded up the steps of the chancel—at which point another Elder, dressed as an Umpire, popped out of seemingly nowhere and shouted “Time!” The Elder said to the Preacher, “Ok Rev. You tried hard, but you just don’t have any juice today.” And with that, the Elder turned and looked at the Elder with Bible in glove, gave the sign, and called in the relief preacher.
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This amusing stunt no doubt brought joy to the congregation, but also demonstrated the truth that a preacher tries hard, but some sermons just don’t have any juice—even if they are packed with Good News. That’s “Risus Paschalis”—the Easter Laugh.
Move 2
My clergy colleague and good friend Rev. Alan Dicken told me about a wedding he officiated. The service was beautiful, the homily was thoughtful, on point, and not too long. The vows were pure poetry—everything in the service was perfect, faithful, and beautiful—tears of joy flowed. Following the service, bride and groom, guests and pastor made their way into the adjoined space for the reception. As people made their way in, the DJ cranked up the music and shouted into his microphone, “All right, that wedding was very nice, but now that part is OVER and it is time to PARTY!”
Now if you think that comment was rude—you’re right. But it’s gets better. The DJ is ready to start the party, but he still has to direct all the platitudes—toasts, first dances, etc. So after saying it’s time to “PARTY!” the DJ refers to his order of events, and sees he now has to say, “At this time I want to invite forward Rev. Alan Dicken to offer the blessing for our meal.”
When my friend told me this story, I said, “Seems the DJ forgot Jesus’ first miracle was turning water into wine at a wedding—a wedding which didn’t include an arrogant DJ.”
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Clearly the DJ assumed everybody just wanted to get through the formalities and get to the party. Clearly the DJ thought it was perfectly acceptable to make a rude comment about the formalities. And clearly, the DJ didn’t know how Jesus can really get a party started. Water into wine. The poor and marginalized as wedding guests. Letting the powers that killed him think they won, only to show them up three days later.
That’s “Risus Paschalis”—the Easter Laugh.
Move 2
Another humorous church moment happened during one of my trips with the Ohio Delegation to Chile. On these delegations there have been several folks who had studied Spanish and tried to talk with our hosts.
Our hosts encouraged this, but they did also give the warning that if your Spanish was not very good, to be careful, and maybe consider not trying to speak it—especially in certain places…like church.
Well, we were at church one Sunday, the sanctuary packed full, and the pastor of the church knew one of the pastors from our delegation spoke a little Spanish, so he invited her up to the pulpit to say a few words. Now she knew her Spanish wasn’t great, but she went up anyway, and said, “I am very embarrassed now, and it’s all your pastor’s fault.” There was an ever so subtle pause that lingered in the air, and then, the entire congregation erupted in laughter, the Chilean pastor is holding his hands in his face, while his wife has turned beet red but laughing as well.
As it turned out, when my pastor friend said in Spanish she was “embarrassed” she used the word “embarazzada.” But “embarazzada” is not “embarrassed” in Spanish. “Embarazzada” means pregnant. So instead of saying, “I am very embarrassed now, and it’s all your pastor’s fault” she said, “I am very pregnant now, and it’s all your pastor’s fault!”
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This just goes to show that in the Church, we don’t even have to speak the same language for us to laugh and find joy together. That’s “Risus Paschalis”—the Easter Laugh.
Move 3
All right, I did promise to share a story about yours truly.
When I was serving in Wadsworth, I went to visit a parishioner in the hospital who had a long history of medical issues. As a result of those health issues, Evelyn was a double leg amputee— above the knee. When I got to the room Evelyn was doing fine as this was just one more of the many times she landed in the hospital to get some things managed. It was not a crisis situation. And because it wasn’t we were just having a normal conversation—about what I can’t exactly remember. But I do remember I was telling her a story about a witty back and forth argument with someone who had made a compelling argument for their point. This is when I concluded telling the story to Evelyn saying, “And well, Evelyn, I had to admit, I didn’t have a leg to stand on!” And no sooner had the words come out of my mouth did I realize what I just said to a woman with no legs.
But that’s not the end of the story. Utterly embarrassed, I proceeded to say, “Oh Evelyn! I am so sorry. I really stuck my foot in my mouth!” And no sooner had the words come out of my mouth did I realize what I just said to a woman with no feet. But while I didn’t mean to say, “I didn’t have a leg to stand on” AND “I really stuck my foot in my mouth” to a double amputee…my friend, there in her hospital bed, had the biggest smile on her face while she just laughed and laughed and laughed at me. Which made me smile and laugh. Which has now made you all smile and laugh too.
There in that hospital room may have been the first time I truly heard “Risus Paschalis”—the Easter Laugh—when my friend—a double amputee— just laughed and laughed and laughed.
Conclusion
The Disciples in our text for today were in those first days and weeks of post-resurrection. They were still unsure what to say or do…so they went fishing, but caught nothing. Nothing that is until Jesus showed up, and then their nets were filled.
Do you think they were still unsure then? Do you think they were still unsure when Jesus said, “Come have breakfast”? Or do you think, maybe, they smiled and laughed at one another, realizing, Jesus—who was dead—was now alive because death had been defeated…just as he had told them.
“Risus Paschalis”—the Easter Laugh—that is the message we carry in our hearts. That is the message we are to have on our lips. For it is a message, that when shared, can bring joy and laughter to the entire world. And who couldn’t use a good laugh? Amen.
Pastoral Prayer, April 30, 2023, Holy Humor Sunday
God of love and laughter, we thank you for laughter with friends and loved ones which turns into joy. We thank you for the laughter of children, which turns into playfulness and fills us with joy. By your great unending love, you inspire in us a spirit of imagination and creativity. And because of these blessings, we pray you help us to use that spirit to play more, to laugh more, and to create joy and beauty in every way possible.
Remind us to laugh out loud, for in doing so we will heal some of the wounds within us—not all, but some. Remind us how many carry burdens that need not be carried alone, and that when we share laughter and joy with one another the burdens are made lighter.
Holy God, we pray for those who cannot find laughter and joy. For those who are grieving, or suffering illness of body, mind or spirit, for those who are lonely and in need of someone to share their time and friendship, for those who have not yet moved into the season and spirit of Easter and find themselves stuck in the gloom of Good Friday.
May these, and the troubles of all your people, be soothed, blessed, and comforted by your holy presence. May we each find the laughter and joy within us that sets our spirits free, and in that freedom, may we take your love into every part of our lives and show those around us that through you, and in your Son, we are given the unending gift of joy that empowers us to see the folly of those who try to defeat you and your ways, and laugh, because we know that nothing, not even death, can keep your love and joy from coming to all your children.
So bless us again, and always, with the joy of Easter. Lead us to laugh at foolish attempts to overcome your power and love. And help us to share the blessings of your joy and your laughter with all.
Hear now the prayers of our hearts as we lift them to you in this time of Holy Silence.
All this we pray in the name of Christ Jesus, our risen Lord and Savior, who taught us to pray, saying, “Our…”