September 11, 2005
Rev. Ruth Anne Martz
I AM A CLOWN
Do clowns belong in church? Does laughter? Does love? Somewhere along the way we forgot the clowns! These holy fools of God were a church tradition in ages past.
A universal symbol of human-ness as well as joy, the clown has the unique opportunity to lift our spirits, share our tears, and challenge our conventional way of thinking. By coming into our worship setting, the Christian clown brings a child-like wonder and a fresh interpretation of our liturgy—illustrating stories in surprising ways, and appealing to our imaginations much as Jesus did when he was among the people. It is often something unexpected and seemingly foolish that makes us pay attention to a new perspective and to the wisdom of God. Let us resurrect images of joy, rediscover the behavior of Christian fools, and revive the language of clowns.
The word clown is actually an appropriate symbol of our Christian faith. It is an Anglo-Saxon word meaning clod, a lump of clay, the lowest, the most common. And you know what? I can see a lot of clowns here in this place! In Genesis we read that in the beginning, God created the first living person out of a lump of clay. God saw that it was good and probably laughed with delight!
As a Christian clown, I try to keep things simple and down-to-earth because I don’t usually understand or get things right on the first try. In spite of multiple goofs and embarrassing conundrums, I don’t give up. I understand every time you’ve felt like a clod or idiot in this sophisticated and often mocking world. If I slip on your banana peel, I have the freedom to sob loudly and rub my sore behind. We know that I’m not really hurt. I go out of my way to make you laugh and give you love. My clumsiness and foolishness are not only a source of relief for you (since you’re not the worst clod, I am!) but I also make you look really good—even graceful! Yes, I am vulnerable and I follow Jesus’ way of being a servant to others, but I never stay on the ground, defeated. I ask you to help me stand up, I brush myself off, scold you for throwing your banana peel on the floor, point out the garbage can and... give you a Love balloon! There is healing and hope. Weakness is transformed into strength. You laugh at the exaggerated acts and you know that life's not that easy, but somehow you get the message about what is truly important, treating other people and the earth with care and respect.
There is a story in the Jewish tradition about the prophet Elijah. One day he was standing in the marketplace and a friend came up to him and asked if there were anyone there who was wise and would have a share in heaven. Elijah replied "No," with a sigh, but then he saw two clowns entering the marketplace. "Those two will have a share in heaven. When they see people troubled in mind or heavy with sorrow, they make them laugh; and when they meet people who quarrel, they make peace between them." Such is the way of Jesus, the paradoxical figure of wisdom and foolishness, of humility and the lifting up of others. Isn’t that how God seems to work among us?
We too can be such gifted “fools.” For, as Christians, we have a head start in understanding what being a “fool” means. Look at Jesus’ seemingly irrational commands! Love your enemies. Take up your cross. Be like a child. How about the words of the apostle Paul! We proclaim God’s Son living in human flesh! Resurrection from the dead? Certainly today we are still a bunch of crazy fools---wearing crosses around our necks. After Hurricane Katrina, I heard several people on television in New Orleans who repeatedly gave thanks to God for their lives, in spite of having lost everything else, Christians who proclaimed their faith in the midst of complete destruction—how strange! How wondrous!
In the 12th century church, clowns were known as "Divine Interrupters," because they would pop up during worship to illustrate a point through mime or magic. They would also keep people awake by adding a note of humor! At a time when most Christians were illiterate, the clown would act out the Scripture lessons. Like Jesus, the Christian clown was—and still can be—teacher, entertainer, and healer. I like the name "Divine Interrupter" and the sacred task of receiving and sharing God’s love in surprising and unconventional ways. Of course an essential part of our freedom includes the acceptance of certain boundaries, responsibilities, and valuable traditions. But God still calls us to be "Divine Interrupters" of “business as usual,” challenging rigid attitudes or rules that exclude, giving of ourselves to others, standing apart at times from the “norm,” even if we appear "strange" or "foolish." The anger or sorrow of a clown is revealed within the context of a compassionate and joyful faith. This might mean that we practice our Christian faith on a daily basis by sharing our hearts openly, speaking honestly and directly with no hidden agendas, daring to be spontaneous, risking being vulnerable. What forms might God’s foolishness take in your daily life? How might being fools for Christ affect the ministries of this congregation?
In my preparation for Christian clowning, I first pray as I put on the white face. God of love, help me this morning to put aside my personal traits, my ego, my reputation, any anger or anxiety, so as to be open to others and to the new life that you offer. May I become a fool in the service of Christ, spreading love and joy wherever possible. Amen. The white covers the familiar features and symbolically transforms my face into an eerie blankness. The white face of the clown is a symbolic death mask. The clown begins as a tragic figure, a reminder of the cross and the suffering in our world. The white also symbolizes the death of the old personality and the giving of self. My face feels like a clean slate.
But the clown of course doesn't stop with the white face, and the process of putting on make-up reminds us of the transformative power of the cross. The Christian fool is the bearer of the Good News of God’s love. We are willing to appear foolish in order to create a loving community with one other. I therefore add the bright colors of new life, hope, new possibilities, wiping off some of the white, emphasizing the change with a black outline, and then adding splashes of red, especially around the mouth and the eyes. The ways in which I see and speak are being symbolically transformed. Depending on my mood and the occasion, I may add blue, green, or orange. The blue may be used for a small cross or tear at the corner of one eye. Every color celebrates the power of God’s compassion, joy and wisdom, proclaiming again and again the Easter story. Clowns mirror the way life is and the way life can be, reflecting the joy, the hurt, and the absurd in our world.
Putting on make-up and creating a costume are essential steps of preparation. But not only do I LOOK different on the outside, but at some point I begin to FEEL different on the inside. My clown name, Joa Buttons, came through a process of clowning in different costumes and for a variety of church events. I always feel a surge of love and laughter, when I first see people smiling and pointing at me, especially at traffic lights on my way here! I can be my authentic self, if I dare. I choose to wear all kinds of buttons just for fun, but if you read them, they will tell you something about the values that I hope to embody as a Christian clown. One way of spreading the Good News, just as our friend Valentine another way through her costume and name. Some of my favorite buttons are: This IS my real face! Love knows no color. Aging is inevitable but maturing is optional. A mind once stretched never returns to its original dimensions. How are the children? Why be normal when you can be yourself? Sometimes, if you push my buttons, I do silly things. The Christian clown can get away with asking so-called stupid questions, and trying to sort out all the possible answers. The clown is a truth-teller, bending the social rules, while still treating each person with respect. I may interrupt you with a whooping cry of joy or ask to hold your hand. When the Christian fool throws a party, everyone is invited-- friends, strangers, even enemies.
The laughter and compassion that we give to others brings about a transformation within ourselves and throughout our communities. You do not put have to put on the white face or costume,(although it is fun!), because we can all take on the characteristics of the clown: faith and joy, humility and hope, honesty and sensitivity, and a deep sense of compassion and celebration. Use the clown recipe printed in your bulletin, remembering that every ingredient is a gift from God that will nourish you throughout your lives. The faithful fool will try, try, try again and eventually succeed, not by herself or by himself, but with the help of a community of disciples and through the grace of God.
I think that the church is the perfect place for a bunch of clowns, don’t you? Now is the time to take out the fishing poles, and boldly catch a few fools, thanks be to God! Amen.
*** Click HERE to experience Rally Day 2005 when this sermon was given ***