Pastor's Corner - April 1st, 2022

Today is April Fools Day.

It's a day in which the world around us attempts to catch people off-guard, either with a prank, or some sort of falsehood. Frequently companies try to trick their consumers, or their fans with fake product lineups, or software updates. Some people may choose to announce their candidacy for public office, or the news may report on a particularly robust 'spaghetti harvest' for that season, with pictures of people picking Spaghetti noodles off the trees. 

I saw a meme online today that stated that April Fools Day is the only day of the year when people question what they read on the internet. Makes me think we probably should do the same thing everyday, but today in particular - it's wise.

The origins of April Fools Day go back to before renaissance Europe - but its precise origins are unknown. There are three prevailing theories.

1) That it is connected to the greek festival of 'Hilaria' which took place at the end of the month of March, where they commemorated the resurrection of the greek god Attis. Revelers would dress up as one another and imitate each others mannerisms as part of the festivities.

2) It could be connected to the Feast of Fools, a medieval festival that involved an electing of a faux pope or bishop, and then the revelers parodied church customs.

3) The third and final possibility - involved the transitioning between the Julian and Gregorian calendars in 16th century France. The Julian calendar began in March during the Spring Equinox and the festivities of the New Year were celebrated until April 1st. When the Gregorian calendar was implemented, the New Year moved to January 1st, and those that didn't get the memo, and kept the New Year in the spring were ridiculed and made fun of. 

The first references to 'April Fools Day' as it is known today are recorded in 15th and 16th century literature and histories. By that point, it existed in much the same way as we know it to exist today. 

It's a day that celebrates falsehood and lies, even as seemingly innocent as it may be. We are a people who have been called to truth over falsehood. Integrity over compromise. The Apostle Paul captured these concepts in his letter to the Church at Ephesus.

"Therefore, putting away lying, "Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor," for we are members of one another. "Be angry, and do not sin": do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil. Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you."

                                                                                                                                                  Ephesians 4:25-31 (NKJV)

As we come into this Spring Holy Day season, let us all examine our speech in light of Paul's words. Are we advocates for truth? Do we confirm the veracity of the things we say and repeat? Do our words provide necessary edification? Do they give grace to those who hear? Do we speak in bitterness? In wrath or anger? Do we speak evil with malice?

These questions and more can be so helpful during this time of year as we consider the interactions that we have with others. I hope that your Passover examination is going well, and you are finding the leaven which must be put out.

Have a spectacular Sabbath!

With Love,
Ben