Dusk enveloped the Palestinian hills. Jesus stood on the shore, bent over the charcoal fire. In the distance he could hear his disciples hauling in the nets, exulting over the heavy catch of fish. The waves lapped the boat as they eagerly headed for shore.

Jesus stirred the glowing embers. A breeze from the lake tousled his shoulder-length chestnut hair, rumpled his garments, and filled him with delight. The Risen Lord threw back his head and laughed uproariously. The startled fishermen beached their boat and watched in amazement. In that moment of laughter, the apostles recognized their Master.

"It's Jesus," Peter cried out as they made their way toward the fire. This was the Lord's third appearance to his followers since the Resurrection. Though puzzled by his jovial countenance, they soon became caught up in his ebullient mood.

Why was Jesus laughing? Because Eastertide had rolled in and our Savior was savoring God's victory over the forces of darkness. The devil and death had been defeated and humankind liberated. Love had conquered all.

Spirit of joy

Laughing Jesus! Was he just a figment of my imagination? That opening scene unreeled in my mind as I meditated on the drawing "Jesus Laughing," a sketch by the Canadian Protestant Willis Wheatley that appears on the cover of Jokes Priests Can Tell by Monsignor Arthur Tonne, an eighty-two year old pastor of a Kansas parish.

I learned about the book and its unusual illustration from a friend who had sent me the spring issue of The Joyful Noiseletter, "an Epistle of the Fellowship of Merry Christians" [www.joyfulnoiseletter.com]. The aim of this fellowship is to recapture the spirit of joy, humor, unity, and healing power of the early Christians.

"We are a new, lay-governed, ecumenical organization. We believe in celebrating life and having some fun on our pilgrimage," noted Cal Samra, the Noiseletter editor. "In a melancholy age, our members try to be merry more than twice a year. It's not enough to be merry only at Christmas and happy at Easter. We ask our members to try to reflect the joy, good humor, and wit of our Lord Jesus Christ on a daily basis—even when they don't feel like it—and to pray for the gift of joy."