Holy Fools & April Tomfoolery

This past Tuesday was April Fool’s Day. That glorious day of the year when pranksters run wild, and you have to check your sugar before you sip your morning coffee—because there’s always that one person who thinks salt is a hilarious substitute.

The origins of April Fool’s Day are a bit of a mystery. Some say it dates back to the 1500s when France switched from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar. Those who didn’t get the memo and continued celebrating the new year in late March became the butt of jokes and hoaxes. Others connect it to ancient Roman spring festivals filled with playful mischief. Either way, the tradition of good-natured foolery has stood the test of time.

While no one wants to be the fool, the Bible has an interesting take on foolishness. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 1:27, “God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.” In other words, God’s wisdom doesn’t always make sense to the world. Jesus—our King—was born in a stable, rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, and won victory not by force but by laying down His life. To the world, that might seem foolish. But to those of us who believe, it is the greatest wisdom of all.

So, while April Fool’s Day may be about harmless tricks, perhaps it’s also a good day to embrace a bit of holy foolishness—the kind that loves extravagantly, forgives when it doesn’t make sense, and trusts in God’s wisdom over the world’s cleverness. Just don’t put salt in the sugar bowl. That’s never funny. (Okay, maybe a little.)

May God hold you,

Rev Chris Hester