A Sense of Humor

The following is an expansion on comments I was asked to make at the graduation of Catechists for the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph:

The lessons of tonight can all be derived from a funny anecdote of apocryphal origin:  The bishop was going about the diocese visiting parishes, and while at St. Therese North Parish in Parkville he came upon the confirmation class.  He decided to test the class to see what they knew, so he asked, "Can anyone tell me what a pectoral cross is?"  Not a single student answered.  Embarrassed, the pastor, Fr. Joe, was beside himself.  However, Fr. Joe knew that next week the bishop would be visiting Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, so he called the pastor, Msgr. Blacet, to make sure his students knew what a pectoral cross is, so as not to incur the same embarrassment that befell him.

Not leaving anything to chance, Msgr. Blacet took it upon himself to make sure every one of his confirmandi knew the definition for a pectoral cross. 

The day arrived for the bishop's visit, and his excellency found his way to the confirmation class, which was primed and eagerly awaiting the question from the bishop.  The bishop asked, "Can anyone tell me what a monsignor is?"  Like a bolt, Johnny raised his hand and he was eager to answer, though not everyone was sure he heard the question.  However, the bishop quickly called on Johnny, saying, "OK, Johnny, please tell me what a monsignor is."  To which Johnny replied, "A monsignor is a large cross around the neck of a bishop."  The bishop laughed and gave Johnny full credit for the answer.

This story teaches us three important lessons about our studies and our future work in the ministry of the Church:

1.  Sometimes the question is more important than the answer.  Johnny was so focused on the answer he memorized that he didn't hear the question.  At the same time, his teacher was so focused on him knowing the answer to that one question that the class was not prepared for any other question.  God is infinite, we are finite.  There will always be more questions than answers, and each answer leads to a new question.  This is as it should be, for it preserves the mystery of God, as well as the relationship between Creator and creature.  So let's enjoy the questions and the discussions that arise from them.

2.  Sometimes you know the correct answer without realizing it.  Johnny's answer was designed for another question, though the bishop took great delight in the answers as it related to his question that day.  Still, Johnny went with what he knew, for he didn't know anything else, and sometimes that's OK.  Most of the time people want to know why you're Catholic, not why someone else is Catholic and who wrote a book about it.  Every one of us who professes to be Catholic needs to have their own answer for why they are so.  It's not an answer you'll find in a book.  So, while book learning is important, what's in your heart is more important, and more often than not people are looking for the latter, not the former.

3.  Don't take yourself too seriously.  No doubt the good monsignor was aghast at the reply from both his student and the bishop, but I suspect he also has a good sense of humor and can appreciate being able to laugh at himself.  At the end of the day all of us stand equal before God:  we are finite creatures, God is infinite.  Those of us with advanced degrees in theology are no better than the simple souls with simple piety.  The bishop and monsignor stand in the same place as the poor peasant and the unlearned tradesman.  God is the great equalizer, so let's laugh at ourselves because the alternative is unbearable.

Congratulations to all who completed their training and for achieving this milestone.  As we prepare for our work in ministry, let's be sure to avoid the embarrassment of both priest and monsignor by leading people to become disciples rather than data processors.  May God reward you all in your future service to God and neighbor.