Humour, the ability to laugh and not take ourselves too seriously, puts the grueling process of inner transformation into perspective. If I am self-centered instead of God-centered, everything becomes intense and dramatic. When I take my eyes off myself, my faith, my religious practices, my spiritual ‘progress’, my sins and rather look at my Saviour, everything comes back into the proper perspective. I am filled with joy, the joy of the Lord.
Thomas Merton, a Trappist, was asked if it was possible to tell if someone had truly undergone inner purification, becoming transformed into the image of Christ.
“It is very difficult to tell but usually it is accompanied by a wonderful sense of humour.”
Wonderful analysis! It would not hurt any of us to remember who we are in the scope of humanity and learn to laugh at ourselves.
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