In our diocese there is an organization for married couples that I occasionally help as a chaplain. For one of their events, they sponsored a comedy night featuring a professional stand-up comic, and they volunteered me to open with a 10-minute set before the main event. I am really not sure why I agreed to do it. Ten minutes usually does not seem that long, but it does when you have to stand in front of 300 people and make them laugh. I merely told stories of priesthood; there is quite a bit of comedy in those. I got an especially uproarious response when I reflected upon a server who left in the middle of the offertory because nature called. He later returned flashing a grin and thumbs up at the sign of peace.

When I was finished, a few couples told me that I should take my show on the road. “You remind us of Mother Angelica,” they said. I was slightly worried where this was going, but they continued, “You combine orthodox theology with endearing humor.” For a few days, I fancied myself the next Jerry Seinfeld or Jay Leno, but, alas, it was not to be. Lest their flattery go too much to my head, the Book of Sirach brought me back to reality: “Do not rely on your wealth, / or say, ‘I have the power.’ / Do not rely on your strength / in following the desires of your heart” (5:1-2).

Perhaps we all have moments of wishing to be something that we are not. We all have interests or hobbies, and we need them — but we cannot be known for them. If we hear that “Father is always on the links,” or “Father frequents the casino,” or even “Father does stand-up several evenings at the club,” we have a problem. A priest once told me about calling a parish to talk with the pastor. “Oh, you mean Houdini,” the secretary replied. “We never see him; he disappears all the time. Try St. Anthony or the local golf course and good luck!” I guess it was a bad day at the office.

Following Our True Call

Pope Benedict XVI reflected upon this once in an address to priests, saying, “The faithful expect only one thing from priests: that they be specialists in promoting the encounter between man and God. The priest is not asked to be an expert in economics, construction or politics” (Meeting with Clergy in Poland, May 25, 2006). I guess I should add comedy to this list. My ultimate place is in the chapel or sanctuary, not at The Funny Bone.

In saying this, I do not imply that we should deny our humanity or not use our gifts and talents. However, we always have to do this rooted in our primary vocation, to be faithful to Christ and his Church. I often get calls from organizations to lead pilgrimages, as I am sure many priests do. I think that pilgrimages are great and can foster deeper spirituality, but, honestly, I am not interested in being too frequent a flyer. The Polish priest Blessed Honoratus Koźmiński wrote about this desire as well: “Some people pursue temporal goods so much, while hidden here in the Eucharist such a great treasure is hidden. Many go on pilgrimages to wonderful places, but where is a more miraculous place than the altar in the church?” I heard a deacon once comment as he declined leading a spiritual trip, “Why travel 10,000 miles to find Jesus? He is 5 feet away in the tabernacle.” The point is simple: We do not have to wander far to encounter Christ.

I believe that my days of stand-up are over, and I am more than OK with that; I am actually glad. When we cloud our true call, or allow ambition to get the better of us, we can miss out on what God desires — fidelity and growth in holiness. And that my friends, is no joke. 

FATHER MICHAEL ACKERMAN is the pastor at Resurrection Parish, Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, and chaplain at Seton LaSalle Catholic High School in Pittsburgh.