Laughing Pilgrims: Humor and the Spiritual Journey

I bought Howard Macy's book to use in a class on Spiritual Humor. Funny, how in developing material for the topic, there was little to be found. Macy's book serves as a primer to guide a reader through biblical texts and modern day humorists to find the spiritual messages and guidance that is contained. I really appreciate his queries at the end of the book which challenge and help guide the reader to deepen and recognize his(her) own relationship with humor. Macy's book is accessible and relevant in a time when we often lose sight of the beauty of healthy laughter.

I laughed my way through this warm, wise, and very funny book. It not only made me chuckle, it lightened my spirit, lifted my defenses and allowed God to open my heart with joy. Howard Macy has a remarkable gift of being funny as he reflects on both serious and light-hearted issues, and this makes his book a treasure of humor, compassionate insight and wisdom. He writes that, "Becoming holy is more inviting than it's often cracked up to be." The pervasive sense of spontaneity and playfulness throughout Laughing Pilgrims reminds us that through the spiritual gift of humor God invites us to lighten up, be healed and become part of building a more peaceful and loving world. This book includes chapters titled: Humor Alert, The Power to Laugh, The Klutz Factor, The Center of the Universe, Sneaky Truth, Sneaky Lies, Risks and Manners, Humor at Home and Work, When It's Hard to Laugh, Humor and the Old Testament, Humor and the New Testament, Hilarity and Holiness. This was such a fun read, I sped through the first few chapters. But then I didn't want it to end, so I slowed down by allowing myself only one chapter a day. And after I finished I did what I always do when I discover a new favorite book - I immediately ordered one for a friend!