Rainbow Chi Rho Cross, c. J. Patrick Mahon, 2008

Humor has elements of surprise, incongruity and the unexpected. “a comic, absurd, or incongruous quality causing amusement.” (Dictionary.com) William James has said, “Common sense and a sense of humor are the same thing, moving at different speeds. A sense of humor is just common sense, dancing.” (http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_humor.html)

In general, we do not associate humor with things religious; however, I am discovering that the Bible is full of humor. Today’s Gospel reading is but one example. The person who does not follow the teachings of Jesus is building a house on sand. Stop. Think about it. Ponder the words and the image. It is common sense dancing not to build one’s house on sand and yet we see people building in flood plains in order to be near a trout stream or to have a picturesque view. Gerald Arbuckle says, “The discerning listener would have chuckled over the stupidity of anyone who tries to build their house on sand rather than on rock.” (Laughing with God: Humor, Culture and Transformation, 33) Continue reading →