This week, since Tuesday’s April Fools’ Day, social media has been flowing with some ingenious pranks. We have all been the “victim” of good-humoured jokes, and most of us have initiated a few ourselves.

Laughter is a great gift, and I fear that most of us do not indulge enough. The Bible speaks of humour and laughter often. Pope Francis’ sense of humour is natural and contageous. Yesterday’s comment about flying plates in marriage is a good example.

Pope Benedict also has a great sense of humour and he spoke about this a few years ago in an interview:

“I’m not a man who constantly thinks up jokes. But I think it’s very important to be able to see the funny side of life and its joyful dimension and not to take everything too tragically. I’d also say it’s necessary for my ministry. A writer once said that angels can fly because they don’t take themselves too seriously. Maybe we could also fly a bit if we didn’t think we were so important.”  Peter Seewald Interview

Humour and laughter is a gift that is most often seen in babies and young children. It is as if they have not yet unlearned the ability to live with this gift, and to use it often.

Most of us take life, and ourselves too seriously. We forget that laughter is the best medicine.

Here’s a link that might get you started.

Try it!