Easter is the season of hope…
Easter reminds us that our hope is rooted in the persistent and unconditional love of God for us–not in our goodness. Our hope is rooted in the life and teachings of Jesus–not in ourselves. Our hope is rooted in the wisdom and power of the Holy Spirit–not in our cleverness or strength. Believing these truths, let’s lighten up today with some smiles, laughs, and yes, even groans to celebrate Easter 2024. Here we go…
From our children:
A little boy asked his grandfather how old he was. The man said, “68.” The boy thought for a moment and then asked, “Did you start at 1?”
A grandmother was telling her granddaughter some of the things she did when she was growing up. “We ice-skated on the pond, we picked raspberries in the summer, we had a swing made from an old tire, we rode a pony.” Her granddaughter said, “I sure wish I had gotten to know you sooner!”
The teacher told her students to write a sentence about a public servant. One boy wrote, “The fireman came down the ladder pregnant.” The teacher took him aside and asked, “Do you know what pregnant means? “Yes,” said the boy. “It means carrying a child.”
If you are worrying about the problem-solving capabilities of the youngest generation, see the boy below:
A little baby was talking excitedly on the phone with a friend. “So today in Church a guy in a dress tried to drown me! And, I kid you not, my family just stood there taking pictures!”
If you ever get caught sleeping on the job, with your head lying down on your desk, just slowly lift your head and say, “In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
I hate it when people act all intellectual and talk about Mozart, while they have never seen even one of his paintings.
My favorite childhood memory is when my back didn’t hurt!
Exercise helps with your decision making. It’s true! I went for a run this morning and decided right away, “I’m never going to do that again!”
Remember when a “new hip joint” meant some fun place to go on a Friday night?
Here’s a food tip: Once you lick the frosting off a cupcake, it becomes a muffin–and muffins are healthy!
There’s a fine line between a numerator and a denominator. (Only a fraction of people will find this funny…)
The real reason so many retirees choose to live in RV campers: The kids won’t move back home if they can’t find it!
Four reasons why God created Eve:
4. God was worried if Adam got lost in the Garden of Eden he wouldn’t ask for directions.
3. God knew Adam would never make a doctor’s appointment.
2. God knew Adam would never be able to handle labor pains and childbirth.
And the number l reason:
- When God created Adam, he stepped back and looked at him and said, “I can do better than that!” And so he did!
Under the category: “They said WHAT?”
Actual headline on a story about the resignation of the head of the federal agency overseeing meat inspections: Meat Head Resigns.
Actual sentence from an undergraduate student paper: “History, a record of things left behind by previous generations, started in 1815.”
Quote from a pro soccer player: “All that remains is for a few dots and commas to be crossed.”
Actual insurance claim: “I didn’t think the speed limit applied after midnight.”
Said by a Senator who will remain anonymous: “We can’t keep kicking this issue down the can.”
“With the benefit of hindsight, we can all have 50-50 vision.”
Sign in a hotel window: “GUESTS CAN USE THE FREE WIFE IN THE LOBBY.”
I’ll leave you with a few more images:
For cat lovers everywhere:
And finally:
Have a great week!
Did any of these tickle your funny bone? Would you like to add any humor in the comments below?
PS: Cabrini Movie: If you’re looking for some powerful inspiration, I recommend the new movie Cabrini distributed by Angel Studios. It tells the incredible story of Mother Cabrini, an Italian immigrant, who comes with six other Sisters to the United States in 1889 to serve the masses of Italian immigrants packed into the slums and sewers (yes sewers!) of New York City. Her story is set amid the culture of her day, with its intense hatred of Italians, its anti-immigration movement, and its overt prejudice against women, a prejudice she encountered in society at-large and in the Church. Though sickly most of her life, Cabrini went on to found a vast “network of love” (schools, hospitals, orphanages, homeless shelters, etc.) that eventually encompassed the world. In 1946, she was the first U.S. citizen to be canonized a saint. I saw the movie in a theater, but it will be on various streaming devices soon. I hope you can check it out!
Our video today is an Easter song by Sarah Hart, Sarah Kroger, Josh Blakesley, and Trey Helffinger: “Hallalujah Is Our Song.” As the song says, “What hope we have even in the longest night… what joy we have… what peace we have, for “He is risen over all!”
I look forward to reading some of your comments below!
49 Responses
Thank you for the delightful humor. We all need a few good laughs often!
Annie, Yes, for me laughter has always been a sign of the Holy Spirit! Melannie
Good morning, Sr. Melannie…
Good morning, all…
Happy Easter Monday! Smiled the whole time while I read your blog, but laughed out loud at those cats and bowls! True story: one of my students asked me if I served during WW II. I was a bit taken aback. That would make me 97 years old! But then I thought, “So be it! If that’s the case, then I’m looking pretty darn good!”😄
John, Yes, for 97 you do look “pretty darn good.” Which reminds me of another joke. The old wicked witch looked into the mirror and said, “Mirror, Mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all–IN MY AGE BRACKET?” My brother Paul and sister-in-law Char liked the cats best too! They also went and saw the movie “Cabrini” Easter afternoon and loved it! Happy Easter week! Melannie
What a delight to view and read your email. Blessings and a prayer, Sr. Julie
Sr. Julie, And it’s a delight to read your comment too! Blessings and a prayer to you too! Melannie
Thank you for all the chuckles this morning. It was certainly a different holy weekend for my family. Our newest granddaughter was born on Good Friday! New Life indeed!
Kathy, Congratulations on your new granddaughter! What a way to celebrate Easter! Melannie
Here’s a groaner (pun) for you: Did you hear about the sale at the canoe store. Well it was quite an oar deal🥹S
Mary James, Groan! Groan! Thanks for adding to the humor! Melannie
Nice way to start Easter Monday! Happy Easter! Thanks for your gift of writing.
Christina, It’s always a joy for me to hear from one of my cherished former students! Thanks for writing! Melannie
What a delight to see some humor and a lovely song after reading the morning paper (which is NOT delightful)
Ann, Yes, our sense of humor can help us to keep some of the “un-delightful things” in perspective. Easter reminds us, “We’re on the winning team–even if we’re the #11 seed!” Melannie
In some ways it’s a bit difficult to throw off the solemnity of Lent and Holy Week. These great gifts of humor was just what I needed. Thanks!
Rhetta, Thanks for underscoring the fact that humor is a “great gift.” Melannie
Melannie, I laughed the humor but I loved your Easter song! Happy Easter Sunday!
JoAnne, Laughing and listening to good music–what precious gifts for helping us get through the rough days… Melannie
Loved your humorous offerings 🙂
Italy and the Italians are a wonderful gift to the world 🇮🇹
Never knew they had such a hard time they had in New York.
Bless them … one Faith, one Language and ‘la famiglia e tutta’ ♥️
Thank you Sr Melannie (from a South African)
Anne, It seems every new wave of immigration into the U.S. was met with extreme prejudice. But once that wave was assimilated, they often became prejudice against the next wave! If only we could learn, as you say, that we are ONE FAMILY… (I was delighted to hear from a reader in South Africa. Your country’s hard work to abolish Apartheid continues to give hope to the world. Thank you!) Melannie
So glad you used those funny memes! Thanks for your always amazing blog! Happy Easter!
And thank you, Emmy, for supplying some of the funny items above! I count on you as one of my best sources for humor! Keep it up! Melannie
Thank you, Sr. Melannie for the humor this day. Humor is what keeps me balanced and certainly can take the sting out of a situation, looking at things through a different lense.
I want to share something my youngest granddaughter told me when she was a very wise 5 year old…..sitting in the back seat of my car, her little voice piped up and said, “I can see God, grandma”. “You can?, I said, What does God look like”? Without missing a beat, she said, “He has a million-billion eyes”….”A million-billion eyes, I said….why does God need a million-billion eyes”? “So he can see all over the world” (silence for about 30 seconds) “But he has fur”…”fur”??? I said…..”Why does God need fur”…”because it’s cold up there”…..That may be as good an image as any I’ve heard…
She is now almost 19 and not sure where God has gone, for she prayed many times for her parents to not get divorced, but God didn’t hear her, she thinks. Come to me as a child, we are told!
Have a blessed Easter week….this is my favorite season for scriptures,
Mary
Mary, I loved your little girl’s conclusions of what God looks like… And now she’s realizing that God doesn’t seem to answer all our prayers… May her disappointments and maybe even anger eventually lead to greater trust and deeper faith. Remember, God will always seek her no matter where she is…Trust in God’s love for her–which is even greater than the amazing love you have for her… Thank you for sharing. Melannie
Greatly enjoyed today’s blog. Some of the humor I enjoy is ironic or self-deprecating, like Joe Biden’s cultural put-down: The Irish are the only people he knows who are nostalgic about the future.
Continuing blessings!
George, I smiled at your example! Glad you enjoyed today’s blog–and glad you commented! Melannie
Thank you Melannie for sharing the wisdom and humor of the young and old, gifts from both ends. Smiles and laughter can cure all ills.
As always your music videos brighten my day.
Loretta, Yes both the young and old possess wisdom–and so does everyone else in between! I enjoy finding a fitting music video every week–because it forces me to listen to a lot of good music! Melannie
Melannie–Thank you for an uplifting Monday morning blog. Here’s another child story and its true. Comes from my brother. When his children were very young, Grandpa picked them up from school and brought them home to cookies and milk and sharing. He would ask, what did you learn in school today? One day after asking this, Kindergartner Nick spoke up and shouted, “Grandpa we learned all about sex today!” His grandfather replied, nervously: you learned WHAT? “All about sex, grandpa.” “Really?” asked the rattled grandfather. “Yep, grandpa, and tomorrow we will learn all about seven!”
Mary Ann, Thanks for the story. It’s great! It reminds me of this one. A little girl came home from school and told her mother, “Today we learned how to make babies.” Her shocked mother asked, “What did you learn?” The girl said, “You change the Y to I and add ES!” Melannie (PS: Sr. Mary Ann posts a great blog every Monday. In today’s post she compares two Flacco’s: Flacco (with 2 c’s), who was quarterback late last season for the Cleveland Browns and Flaco (with 1 c), the great owl who lived in New York City and delighted New Yorkers every day. Just google Sister’s name and the word “blog” and her blog will come up!)
Melannie,
Thanks so much for the laughs. It is a good way to start the day or even take a break and read. I lovded the song.
Thank you, Joni, for your words. Yes, laughter is a good way to start (and end) a day! I love the song too! Melannie
Cabrini is indeed worth the time! It is wonderful- really makes you realize what a strong holy determined woman can do!!
Really enjoyed all the smile-makers you included today, Sister!!
Patt, Thanks for your endorsement of the movie “Cabrini.” Yes, she certainly was a strong and loving woman! Melannie
Perfect for spending my afternoon on April 1st sitting and waiting at the dermatologist’s office. They did a MOHS procedure on my nose and have to check to see if they got the cancer cells or need to go deeper. Goes against the old saying “It’s no skin off my nose!”
Thank you, Sister Melannie, for your inspiration and humor. Happy Eastertide to you and all your fans and followers! I also loved the movie, Cabrini! Such a strong woman in a small weak body. She was a powerful force to be reckoned with and left such an amazing legacy!
Donna, So sorry about your time in the doctor’s office. I pray all goes well for you… I liked your description of Mother Cabrini: “strong woman in a small weak body.” Thanks for responding! Melannie
Thank you sister for all you do to Bring joy humor and great memories back into our lives.I have Many many wonderful memories of times spend at your chapel in Chardon Ohio.
Bob, It’s always so good to hear from you! And I have wonderful memories of you and your beloved Monica at Mass at St. Mary’s. Your presence always inspired me! Melannie
Hi Sister Melannie,
Thanks for your humor. This is a true story:
my niece Kate came home from her first day of school and said to my sister, Helen her mother :”I went to school all day and they didn’t even teach me how to read.” My sister sympathized with her in her great disappointment and then asked: “What is your teacher like? Do you like her?” Well”. Kate mused, “She’s nice but she’s very bossy!”
As Art Linklater used to say, “Kids say the darndest things.”
God bless you and all your readers.
Br. Luke, Thanks for the great story! Kate assumed she’d learn to read in a single day! Little did she know… And yes, I guess teachers are bossy… always telling their students what to do! Your story made me smile! A Jesuit friend told this story about himself. He went to kindergarten the first day and seemed to like it. But when his mother woke him up the next morning to go to school again, he said indignantly, “But I already went yesterday!” He thought school was a one-day shot! Melannie
A fabulous story of a very young, but yet already being formed towards a Jesuit! 😉
Dear Sr. Melanie,
Thank you for today’s blog…most of these made me laugh out loud! I am familiar with all of the artists on the recording; most especially Sarah Hart. She is a most talented musician and song writer and has recently composed a new song with Francesca LaRosa called “May the Angels Lead You Home”. If you have not yet heard it, I urge you to take a listen. It is exquisite and will probably bring tears to your eyes.
I am looking forward to joining you for your May 19th retreat. I have a reminder in my phone to register!
Easter blessings!
Christine
Christine, Thanks for the music tip. I’ll check it out!… And I’m delighted to know you’re making the afternoon retreat with me on Sunday May 19. I look forward to meeting you online! Melannie
Sister, quick update to my post. I may have the title of the Sarah Hart song wrong. I think it may be “Song of Farewell”. Try both.
Dear Sr. Melanie,
I enjoyed the funny stories in your blog this week. Thank you for the humor.
My husband & I saw the movie, Cabrini, the day it came out and loved it! We sat in the theater afterwards and discussed it. It was so moving, and brought back memories for me. My Italian grandmother and her family lived in NYC during that time. In the early 1960s she brought me to the Cabrini shrine in NYC. I was a young child but that memory has stayed with me, it was so impressive. I only wish I had asked her about her life in the early 1900s, in that environment. She never talked about it. I had no idea it was like that.
Easter blessings to you!
Donna Marano Ricci
Donna, What a wonderful thing to do: to share this film with your husband. And I’m sure this film gave you a better appreciation for what your early ancestors encountered when they arrived in New York… Like you, I regret not asking my Grandparents more questions about their arrival from Bohemia, through Ellis Island, to Cleveland. My Grandma Svoboda did write a short biography in Czech before she died, and my Aunt Helen translated it and made copies for all of us. Grandma, at age 15, came over on the Kaiser Wilhelm in 1905. A few days at sea they encountered icebergs and sat still for 2 full days until the danger was past. She was in the lower bowels of the ship and lived on bread and soup for 2 weeks… Amazing courage… Melannie
What a Joy to read on a rainy morning!!! And I see you even got a joke in there Sr. Melannie…about the hip joints…LOL!!! Thank you for this wonderful blog!!! I look forward to your weekly inspirations. Happy & Blessed Easter Season!!!
Roberta, I loved the use of all those exclamation points!!! And yes, I liked the “hip joints” joke very much!!! Thanks for taking the time to respond!!! Melannie
Sister Melannie,
I’ve read your wonderful little homilies in Living Faith for some time now and always wonder of your Czech background and was so excited to see this as i explored your blog for the first time today. My Grandmother Josephine Tucek came to Ellis Island in 1905 also and spent 2 weeks in the lower bowels of their ship also. I can’t remember the name of it right now, but while on the ship her 2 year old sister died and they had to throw her overboard. Can you imagine that pain? I always wondered if that was why my Grandma was always so serious. God bless their souls. It certainly wasn’t easy for them to come to America from anywhere.