Contributed By: Rev. Mark Breese
(Download Reflection)

Pastor Mark is the Agency Minister and the Director of Ministry & Community partnerships at Community Missions.

There is an interesting tradition that emerged in the early church. It origins can be found in the writings of early theologians—even the serious St. Augustine.  In the week after Easter there were celebrations that were joyful. Not surprising, of course. But there are ways that it was pushed further than celebrations of joy and feasting. It got silly. Not silly, like dumb, but silly as in joyful. The idea behind these was that the Resurrection must have surprised Satan. The powers of evil felt that they had won a victory over God.  The Messiah had been removed from the picture. Death had won!

But then comes the third day and “Hey Presto!” Jesus is back, and the victory was not just for him, but for all of humanity! Death had been conquered. Evil had lost the ultimate battle! Christians began to see it as a massive joke played on the devil. He was fooled. And if you look at it from a particular perspective, that’s kind of funny. So Bright Week, Bright Sunday, and what some call Holy Humor Sunday now, was born. In short it is a time of joy and laughter. Traditions like Dingus Day (some think) have some roots in this time of humor and celebration. 

So today, for our reflection, let’s look at the season, and our current times through the eyes of some memes. Please, I know that some people see only triumphant victory of the most serious sort in the Resurrection. If that is how you see things, I am totally fine with that. Really! But for me, especially in hard times like these, a little bit of laughter and a little bit of momentary perspective are good for the body, mind, and soul. If you are one of those more “serious victory and triumph in the Resurrection” sort of people, give this reflection a pass. It will be the grace filled thing to do for those of us who just sometimes need a break. My dad used to say that God has to have a sense of humor to put up with us. Plus, he would say, how do you explain the Platypus? That said, I present the following memes that have been making there way around during Lent, Holy Week, and this beginning of the Easter season. If you have seen any other really good ones, let me know.

Pastor Mark