My Favorite Things

Finding the fun in our faith

Zepaniah 3:14-18A

Shout for joy, O daughter Zion! Sing joyfully, O Israel! Be glad and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem! The LORD has removed the judgment against you he has turned away your enemies; the King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst, you have no further misfortune to fear. On that day, it shall be said to Jerusalem: Fear not, O Zion, be not discouraged! The LORD, your God, is in your midst, a mighty savior; he will rejoice over you with gladness, and renew you in his love, he will sing joyfully because of you, as one sings at festivals.

          How would you characterize your Christianity? Is your faith a cause of happiness and humor, or are you more of a “Debbie Downer”? You know, some people are perpetually solemn and somber about religion, and they feel you should never smile – much less laugh – in church. Do you think it’s appropriate to laugh in church? Let’s see.

          An 85 year old couple had been married for 60 years and they both died together in a car crash. They had been in good health the last ten years mainly due to her interest in health food and exercise. When they reached the pearly gates, St. Peter took them to their mansion with a beautiful kitchen, master bath and Jacuzzi. The old man asked, “How much will this cost?” St. Peter replied, “It’s free, this is heaven.” Next Peter took them to a championship golf course behind their house. The man asked again, “What are the green fees?” St. Peter said, “There are no fees, you play for free.” Next they entered the club house where a long buffet featured gourmet food from all over the world. Again the man inquired, “How much to eat?” St. Peter said exasperated, “This is heaven; it’s all free!” The man continued, “Well, where are the low fat and low cholesterol tables?” St. Peter said, “That’s the best part, you can eat all you want and you never get fat and never get sick.” The man looked squarely at his wife and said, “This is all your fault. If I hadn’t eaten all those blasted bran muffins, I could have been here ten years ago!” So, don’t take those bran muffins so seriously. And don’t take your spirituality so seriously that there’s not a little fun in your faith.

          The third Sunday of Advent is called “Gaudete Sunday.” The word “Gaudete” is Latin and it means “All of ya’ll, rejoice!” But notice that hidden in the middle of the word “rejoice” is the word “joy.” In other words, if our Christian faith is characterized by anything, it should be a joyful faith. If you’re not a joyful Christian, you’re not living your faith fully. That’s why the prophet Zephaniah writes in the first reading, “Shout for joy, O Daughter Zion! Sing joyfully, O Israel! Be glad and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem!” That is, let joy be a part of your faith; it’s okay to crack a smile and even to laugh in church. This Sunday we light a pink candle on the Advent Wreath: I mean, how seriously can you take a pink candle??

          The hardest place for me to bring Christian humor and happiness is the hospital, but I’ve learned that’s where it’s needed the most. Of course, illness and suffering are serious and should be treated with appropriate sensitivity. You know, when people see me walking down the hall of a hospital, their eyes get big, thinking I’m like the Grim Reaper, going to give someone the Last Rites before they die. And sometimes I am! People clear out of the hallway and walk close to the walls, so they don’t touch me. It’s great. But do you know what I’ve realized? A little levity and a light-hearted touch bring a lot of peace to the patient. Sometimes the last thing the patient wants is to talk about their illness; they would love for someone to tell them a good joke about an old couple that goes to heaven! Don’t take your bran muffins too seriously; and don’t take your suffering too seriously, either. Why? Because Jesus always brings a little joy, too.

          My friends I don’t want to minimize how tough and troubling life can be. Lord knows life is hard. But I also don’t want to maximize it, so that we lose sight of the joy of Jesus. Do you remember the musical, “The Sound of Music”? Julie Andrews sings, “My Favorite Things” when the children become frightened by a storm. She sings, “When the dog bites, when the bee stings, when I’m feeling sad, I simply remember my favorite things, and then I don’t feel so bad.” And what were her favorite things? She goes on, “Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens, Brown paper packages tied up with strings, These are a few of my favorite things. Cream colored ponies and crisp apple strudels, Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles, Wild geese that fly with the moon their wings, These are a few of my favorite things. Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes, Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes, Silver white winters that melt into spring, These are a few of my favorite things.” Let me ask you: what would be a few of your favorite things? Careful now, be sure that’s something you can think about in church! Again, I am not trying to minimize the misery, but I do want to maximize the mirth!

          Pope Francis’ very first, major encyclical was called “The Joy of the Gospel.” Here’s my favorite line from that document, the pope writes: “This is the joy which we experience daily, amid the little things of life, as a response to the loving invitation of God our Father: ‘My child, treat yourself well, according to your means…Do not deprive yourself of the day’s enjoyment’ (Sir. 14:11, 14).” Listen to that line again: “Do not deprive yourself of the day’s enjoyment.” In other words, have a crisp apple strudel instead of that blasted bran muffin. That’s the meaning of Gaudete Sunday. And that’s the meaning of Christianity.

          Praised be Jesus Christ!