Current research tells us that laughter is good for our physical health.  In fact, it actually promotes it by providing a workout for the diaphragm and thereby increasing the body’s ability to use oxygen.  It also boosts the immune system, lowers blood pressure and relieves stress.  The movie “Patch Adams” is a good example of how humour and medicine can go hand in hand.

But is laughter good for our spiritual health?  St. Ignatius of Loyola told his followers, “ Laugh and grow strong.”  St. Teresa of Avila also saw the link between laughter and sanctity, when she prayed, “ From sour-faced saints, o Lord, deliver us.”

But Christianity has not always acknowledged the role of humour in our spiritual life.  We have often stressed the serious side so much that there is little room in our spiritual life for humour.   Many of the pictures of Jesus show him with a serious expression on his face. Yet Jesus performed his first miracle at a wedding and he frequently shared meals with others.  In fact, at one time he was even accused of being too sociable.

Today there is a trend to acknowledge the role of humour in our spiritual life.  Some people even say that it is their sense of humour that enables them to get through difficult times.  How is this so?

One spiritual writer, Melanie Svoboda has written an article entitled “ Laughter is Good for the Soul.”  In this article she says, “ Faith and humour go hand in hand.”  She sees the link between humour and faith, laughter and believing.”  She goes on to explain that whenever we laugh, we see beyond the immediate to something bigger or we look at an event from a different angle.  Many stand up comedians use everyday events and see the humour in them that we often miss. Whenever we believe, we see beyond the surface to a deeper truth.  Both faith and humour give us a broader vision of life, and a new perspective on reality. They both enable us to trust in the essential gift of life and the ultimate triumph of good. 

Humour also saves us from being too absorbed in ourselves – it forces us to go out of ourselves. When we hear a good joke, the first thing we want to do is to share it with someone else.  It also helps us to be humble by letting us laugh at ourselves, by not taking ourselves too seriously.  Aren’t humility and sharing good for the soul? 

This spiritual writer closes her article with the following joke.

An elderly man won millions in a state lottery.  Since he had a bad heart, his wife enlisted the pastor’s help to gently break the good news to him.  The priest did a fine job.  The man exclaimed, “ I want to give half of it to the parish.”  That’s when the pastor dropped dead.