Today is the Wednesday of Holy week. It is also “April Fools’ Day”.

The origin of April Fools’ Day is inconclusive. Many theories abound. Did it first occur when the Gregorian calendar switched? So those, who continued to celebrate the new year in April rather than January 1st were “fools”? Was it linked to the ancient Roman festival of Hilaria-in which people wore disguises and mocked others? Or is it tied to the vernal equinox- the first day of Spring in the Northern Hemisphere when Mother Nature tricks us into thinking it is warm? In Scotland they celebrate “hunting the gowk”- gowk a cockoo bird or symbol for fool.

However its start, April Fools’ Day continues to be “celebrated”- sometimes businesses or news organizations pull pranks on the public or school-aged youngsters practice the age-old “kick me” notes on the unsuspecting victims’ back.

I was thinking about the word “fool”. I am sure that those who were present in Jerusalem during the week of Jesus’ triumphant entrance and then betrayal, trial, and crucifixion thought Jesus was a fool. First of all, He entered into the city, not with big fanfare as fitting for a king, but rather riding on a donkey-not quite the visual of strength and power. During His trial, He did not even attempt to defend Himself, nor did He, who had performed miracles, do any miracle to save Himself. For those who thought power and might are the wisdom of politics and social standing, they must’ve been deeply disappointed and perhaps, angry. Why did they waste any time listening to this “fool”?

But, as is typical of God’s way of doing things, what God values is not what humans value. God’s ways are not our ways. God is always upending and turning around what we, humans, think is important, strong, or wise. Just like the choosing of King David- God saw David’s heart, the inside of a person rather than any outward appearance.

The Apostle Paul writing to the Corinthians reminded them that God’s power is not like humankind’s: “For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength”. (1 Corinthians 1:25 NIV)

On this April Fools’ Day, I have been wondering how I may be a fool? Do I align with God’s “foolishness” or with the world’s “wisdom”? Am I following Jesus’ example of being a servant? Do I serve in humility? Am I patient and loving towards people with whom I disagree? Do I love them despite our differences? Sadly, I think that I lean more or at least am influenced more by the world’s wisdom than God’s. It takes courage to be the “fool”. It takes strength. Holy strength.

What about you? Which way do you lean with the world’s “wisdom” and God’s “foolishness”?

Our current world is gravitating more and more to aggressive power and might. Forcing people to “behave” in a way that conforms to whatever is decreed by the person in power. It can be quite debilitating to try and live life in a way counter to that “wisdom”.

However, Holy week reminds us that there is hope. Jesus came into the world to save us from our sinful selves. God loves each one of us so much, that God was willing to send Jesus to be the sacrifice for each one us. As we say each Sunday in the Episcopal service: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. That means, that though the world and all its wisdom and strength seems to have “won”, Christ, in His humility and “foolishness”, has the final say. We would be wise, or should we say “foolish” to follow His example.