As a Youth Ministry I have an eclectic set of things in my office at work. I have pens on the shelf next to softballs, I have Catholic Youth Bibles next to candles and a slew of board & card games next to paper.
I have crosses on my walls, pictures of saints, posters on different faith topics.
I also have a cardboard cutout of Pope Benedict the XVI in my Youth Ministry Office. And a Jesus action figure.
Sometimes, people think that Catholics can’t (or shouldn’t) have a sense of humor about their faith. Yes, sometimes things are taken too far and become sacrilegious. And that’s definitely not good (think Nicki Minaj at the Grammy’s). But it’s often forgotten that our faith calls us to have not just contentment, not just happiness, but joy.
Sure, we’ll struggle, sure there will be sorrow and difficulty (and trust me, I’ve had my share of these things), but in all this, we’re called to take joy in the Lord, to delight in Him.
Sometimes that joy and fun in our faith comes in the form of a cardboard cutout or an action figure or a song. Right now, one way joy and fun in our Catholic faith is spreading is Internet memes.
One great site (among many) is LOL Saints, run by a great Catholic man of faith, Jeff Geerling. Check ‘em out, laugh and enjoy.
In all we do as Catholics, we should denounce that which is sacrilegious. But we must also remember, to have that joy and a little sense of humor in our faith too.
“Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” –Psalm 37:4
Laughing at someone else’s misery. Hmmmm.
Awful site!!! You are wrong. It crossed the line and then it backs up so it can cross it again!
I also think it’s a good idea to take a step back and be able to laugh at ourselves sometimes – we are, after all, the only creature God made that can really do a great belly laugh! It definitely keeps us humble, and keeps us from being too stuck in ourselves. I personally liked this post on LOL Saints: http://www.lolsaints.com/saints/2009/st-george-dragonslayer. I mean c’mon, Monty Python and St George together?? Definitely made me smirk, if not chuckle. 🙂 Thanks Rita!
Rita this is perfect! We actually talked about all the memes that were coming out of the Olympics. Stay tuned tomorrow morning for the show!
Looking forward to it!