Holy Laughter (Leighton Ford)
Nancy Malone, a Catholic writer/teacher, author of Walking a Literary Labyrinth quotes H. L. Mencken’s definition of puritanism: “the haunting fear that someone, somewhere, may be happy.”
Of course that’s from that very irascible Baltimore journalist
Not all puritans are that grim.
Malone also writes,
“I often look around in church at the utterly expressionless faces singing ‘Alleluia! Alleluia!’ and wonder why we don’t let our faces know what our lips are saying.”
I have noticed that dullness in worship from time to time (and have been guilty of it myself).
So I like to remind myself from time to time of C. S. Lewis’ more encouraging conviction.
“Joy is the serious business of heaven.”
Leighton Ford