Research in the philosophy behind humor reveals a central principle to what is found as funny. The logical breakdown looks like this, “A plus B does not equal C.” The definition of this expression is incongruency. When the “punch line” or result of a spoken or written line is not the expected conclusion to what has been said leading up to it, then that is typically found humorous.
I think of this when I read the New Testament narrative of a young Jesus who is in Jerusalem with his earthly parents. Joseph and Mary leave Jerusalem, heading home with a caravan of friends and family. After a days journey they discover that Jesus is not in the group. They have lost the promised Messiah. Because of the incongruency, I find this scene humorous. Imagine, being greeted by Angels, gifted by Magi, and losing the reason for all of the attention and celebration.
However, though it is “funny” and humorous John Donne’s essay also brings home the very serious spiritual application. Just as his earthly parents could not find Him, there are times in our personal lives and communities that we lose the presence of Christ. From Donne, “ We may lose him by suffering our thoughts to look back with pleasure upon the sins which we have committed, or to look forward with greediness upon some sin that is now in our purpose and prosecution.” The enduring good news is that Christ can quickly be found. Again Donne, “Christ is at home with you, he is at home within you, and there is the nearest way to find Him.”