Laughter

I look with morbid curiosity at sermons from a nearby church, posted to YouTube. For two weeks, the pastor was absent. Two locals subbed for him. And when the pastor returned, he began,

“A couple of weeks ago now, as I began to have some [makes a faux-quizzical face ] suspicious symptoms — you just never know these days where that journey is gonna go.”

Followed by laughter from the congregation.

At least one person who attended this church has died of COVID-19. His obituary described him as a member of a different church who had recently begun attending this one. It’s not difficult to understand why: the other church had switched to online services. This church was (and is) gathering in person, with a congregation that laughs at the implication that their pastor contracted COVID-19.