Post from The Integrated Catholic Life Blog begins...
G. K. Chesterton once said, “Angels fly because they take themselves lightly.” What a beautiful concept; realizing that it is not us, but God that carries the weight of the world, thus making us free from the gravitational pull of our own importance.
When I am in the company of great men and women of faith, I am often “awe” struck by their quick wit and sense of humor. I can only think that it is their humility, their absolute faith that God is so much bigger than they, that allows them to surrender entirely to His mercy and at the same time do so with a smile. There truly is a “lightness” to one who knows that he is nothing and God is everything. For those who believe they are everything, seldom wear such a smile of contentment.
As a society, we often look to God during times of trial and suffering, and although this is good, for sometimes God’s mercy is packaged in such a way that we are forced to stand up and take notice, at times it leads us to believe that happiness and laughter are separate from our relationship with our Creator.
Laughter is endearing. It is said to “be the shortest distance between two people.” (See, that right there is funny, following a quote by Chesterton with one by Victor Borge… Now, if I could only find a Nipsey Russell quote…) But, Mr. Borge has made a very accurate statement. There is something about laughing with another person that draws us closer to that person, establishes a sense of trust and builds a sense of confidence.
Just think of Sarah’s reaction as God informs Abraham that Sarah, in her old age, will bear a child. The second she laughs, she is drawn closer to God. In fact, He delights so in her humanity, which He created, He instructs them to name the child Isaac, the Hebrew word for laughter. Just think of how Sarah’s confidence in God grew as the child in her womb grew, and how her trust in the Lord intensified as the pains of labor intensified and she bore a son.
Genuine laughter cannot be forced. It is something so true and so real. It is something that shows us the Holy Spirit is working deep within us, at the sight of our innermost emotions. Think about the inner warmth you feel as you find yourself doubled over and tears flowing from your eyes in laughter. That passionate response of happiness that encompasses both body and soul can only be a mere foretaste of the happiness that awaits us in heaven.
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