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.

One of our dearest friends is dying and there is nothing anybody can do about it. For the last couple years of his life, he has been dealt a double blow: an aggressive inoperative cancer on top of an already progressive debilitating disease which has left him in sound mind but weakened body. Once an athlete with quickness and agility, his body has failed him in even the simplest tasks.

The conversation has long ago moved away from the questions of why, why me and what medical interventions can be taken, to the acknowledgment that death is inevitable. The question now becomes- How does one die well? A question that most of us do not like to think about, but the reality is that from the moment we are conceived, we are on the trajectory towards death. We live in mortal and frail bodies.

Throughout this whole journey, my husband and I have admired our friend and the way he has faced his fate: with grace, kindness, humility, humor and love. He has every right to be focused only on himself, yet whether he has friends, family or caregivers in his room, he, the consummate host and gentleman, will inquire how the other is doing and want to talk about the other person rather than himself. Sure, he has his moments of grouchiness, sarcasm and unpleasantness (who doesn’t even in the best of circumstances), yet he still is caring for others in the limited capacity that he can.

All his life, our friend has demonstrated living with a servant leader heart. He is ready to help anyone in need. Many years ago, we served together on the Deacons, a helping ministry committee at our church. I was always in awe of how he would lean into difficult situations and get right in the middle of helping. He wasn’t concerned about procedure or forms or any administrative items. It didn’t phase him if the person had mental or physical health issues. He just wanted to get to the heart of the matter and help.

He has always taken people at face value. No judgement. I remember one time he and his wife and my husband and I went away for the weekend. As our habit when getting together, we always settle into deep conversations (lubricated by some fine single malt). I cannot remember the exact topic we were discussing but I remember him saying, “I don’t see things the way you folks do.” Perhaps it was his baseball background. It didn’t matter from where one came, what one looked like or what were one’s connections, if you could play ball then you were in. Same with life. If you were living and you had problems (and who doesn’t), then you were “in”, according to his philosophy. For him, every person is in God’s image and therefore deserves respect and love.

He is a good listener. Even if he didn’t agree with you or appreciate the same thing that you liked or enjoyed, he would still engage you in conversation and ask questions about the topic. If you are interested in something, he would want to know about it, because he appreciates the development of relationships through communication over anything else.

Our friend has shown me the answer to dying well. One does so by living well. And our dear friend is doing that. He is dying as he lived his life: thinking of others, building relationships and community, being generous of time, talent and treasure, glorifying God by his attitude and thoughts, enjoying the present and all that encompasses and by focusing on what he can do rather than what he cannot.

So today, happy birthday buddy. For what is birth but our beginning of consciousness to know God and make Him known to others. You dear friend, have shown that to us in so many ways. While your birthday years on earth may be dwindling, the best is yet to come. See you on the other side.