Wednesday – 10th Week of Ordinary Time  

Reading – 1Kings 18:20-39

A Sense of Humor

Statue of Elijah, Mt. Carmel

I admit it!  My sense of humor is not for everyone.  It can be biting, sarcastic, incredibly corny and full of puns, and, in the words of many of my friends, “I don’t get it”.  No matter what, given all that the world is going through right now with war, violence on innocent children, and outright bigotry and hatred, we all could use something to make us smile.

And I think God delivers exactly that in today’s first reading.  It is a contest between Elijah and 450 prophets for the false god Baal, a battle to determine which god is the true one! Baal’s prophets erect an altar and do everything, including cutting themselves, in an effort to call down their god to send down fire to consume their sacrifice, all to no avail.  And then Elijah taunts them mercilessly!  Call out louder; maybe your god is asleep!  Maybe he is busy meditating or ‘out of the office.’  Maybe he has retired from the job!  Maybe He’s on vacation! 

Imagine that!  In the middle of blood and anger and a fierce fight between 2 warring religions, there is a bit of comic relief.  It makes me wonder whether we ever give God credit for having a sense of humor.  Sure, we envision God as a stern judge, a disciplinarian, a loving father and forgiving parent.  But what about a God of laughter?  A Father who smiles along with us when we hear one of those ‘dad’ jokes!  A God of good humor, who laughs along with us as we share the antics of our little toddler trying to talk or walk!   A God who shares our moments of joy and mirth, who finds humor even in the midst of sorrow and pain!

 

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