Pope Francis has made it abundantly clear over the years that he is no fan of “sourpuss” Catholics, who he calls “querulous and disillusioned pessimists” (Joy of the Gospel, No. 85). On this subject, he echoes Jesus’ own condemnation of sourpuss religious leaders who make a big show of their fasting and religious piety. “Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward” (Mt 6:16), was Jesus’ curt commentary.
But Pope Francis has now taken it one step further, endorsing humor as not just compatible with, but perhaps essential for, faith.
In a recent column in The New York Times, itself excerpted from a forthcoming book, Pope Francis wrote: “Those who give up their own humanity give up everything, and that when it becomes hard to cry seriously or to laugh passionately, then we really are on the downhill slope. We become anesthetized, and anesthetized adults do nothing good for themselves, nor for society, nor for the Church.”
Francis’ essay is in large part a collection of jokes made by two saints (Pope John XXIII and Pope John Paul II), as well as jokes often told about Jesuits (his own religious order before he became Pope). It should come as no surprise that Francis, who loves folksy sayings, would believe that at times laughter is the best medicine.
Several months ago, he invited comedians from the United States and other countries to join him at the Vatican. He praised them “for getting people to ‘think critically by making them laugh and smile.’”
Comedians play an important role, the Pope told them. “In the midst of so much gloomy news, you denounce abuses of power, you give voice to forgotten situations, you highlight abuses, you point out inappropriate behavior.”
Comedy can sting a little, but these days the rage can overwhelm the laughs. Late night comedians, once the refuge of tired folk just before turning in, now often have a bitter edge to them. Scorn is a poor substitute for good humor, and likely leaves the listener more agitated than prepared for a good night’s sleep.
Perhaps we all need a dose of comedians like Nate Bargatze or Jim Gaffigan, who show us ways first of all to laugh at ourselves. There are many serious issues deserving of our full attention. But laughter is a balm for the soul, and it is a very Catholic recognition that we do know there is a happy ending.
I had the good fortune to have a father who loved practical jokes, the wit of Gilbert and Sullivan and the edgy humor of Tom Lehrer. I grew up reading the comic pages as well as sports and news, a practice I maintain to this day. Bedtime is not the time to read about crises and scoundrels. Bedtime is when I catch up on “Pearls Before Swine” and “Zits,” guaranteeing at least a smile before I sleep.
Not every saint is a barrel of laughs (looking at you, St. Jerome), but Francis is reminding us that when we take ourselves too seriously, we become less effective, less a witness for the joy of the Gospel.
It is Francis who reminded the comedians he met with that one of our most famous martyrs, St. Thomas More, wrote a prayer for good humor. It may do us all a bit of good to recite its last lines before bed tonight:
“Give me a soul that knows not boredom, grumblings, sighs and laments, nor excess of stress, because of that obstructing thing called ‘I.’
“Grant me, O Lord, a sense of good humor.
“Allow me the grace to be able to take a joke to discover in life a bit of joy,
and to be able to share it with others.”
Greg Erlandson is an award-winning Catholic publisher, editor and journalist whose column appears monthly at OSV News.