April Fish!

A quick investigation of April Fools Day reveals a myriad of notions as to its origin. It may have begun as far back as Roman mythology.

Some have traced it to Medieval Europe as a lighthearted response to the arrival of spring.

Others proclaim Pope Gregory XIII as its originator in answer to his reformed Gregorian calendar which shifted New Year’s Day to January 1. Those who resisted the change or who were late in hearing the news were sent on fool’s errands.

In France it is known as Poisson d’Avril. Kids shout “April Fish!” when their unwitting suspects discover a picture of a fish taped to their backs. The ol’ slap on the back trick, eh?

And one source, which may be the most unreliable, links it to Constantine who allowed a court jester to become King for a Day in order to fool the Romans.

Two points stand out: first, April Fools Day follows closely on the heels of the arrival of spring (and who among us does not find spring to be joyful?); second, that humor and pranks are ancient.

Playing practical jokes on my family and friends has always been more of an after-thought than something I anticipate. I anticipate the first tulips and flowering Dogwoods. I anticipate sunny days and mild temps. Many, myself included, anticipate the return of the risen Christ Jesus.

He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem . You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”  When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany , he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.” Luke 24:44-50

But what of those who resist Jesus as King? What of those who are late in hearing the Good News? Are they to be ridiculed and laughed at with shouts of April Fish? Are they to become modern day court jesters and dispatched on foolish errands? No. With over 4,000 organized worldwide religions, imagine how many people practice the golden rule, acceptance and forgiveness? And bubbling to the top of this hodgepodge is joyfulness.

Ben Simpson, a pastor at FirstLight UMC ( www.firstlightgardner.org ) will be leading a study group on Sharing Faith with Confidence. This is an area that I need to grow in, and I look forward to participating in Ben’s small group. I want to learn how to spread the word like so much Parkay on a slice of Wonderbread. Or should I say, like so much olive oil on a matzo?

“I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” John 10:1-5

Living as a watchman for Jesus takes conviction, faith and courage. Following in His path can be difficult, but made easier once you open your eyes to His light and your mind to understanding. The Holy Spirit has come upon me not in one lump sum, but in baby steps. The joy of this is that my awareness increases every day. 

Beware not, my friend, the Ides of March. Beware All Fools Day! For a good natured slap on the back may strike at any time. This Eastertide I share with you the joy in my heart and pray for your joy as well.

 

Leap Year and Other Early Spring Observances

The older I get the less exciting Leap Year becomes. Groundhog Day and Lincoln’s Birthday are more thrilling than Leap Year. Although, to those born on February 29, birthdays would be significant, wouldn’t they?

What exactly is a Leap Year? In it’s most basic description, under the Gregorian calendar, the normal 365-day year is called a Common Year. But once every four years, a 366-day Leap Year occurs in order to synchronize the calendar year with the solar year. Solar years are approximately 6 hours longer than 365 days. In the Americas, we have been observing Leap Year since 1752. The exceptions are years divisible by 100; but if the year is also divisible by 400 it would still be a leap year.

To which I say: boring, snoring! The only benefit I can reckon is an extra day. Oh! The things I could accomplish if that extra day were truly measurable. Because even with the added day, I still maintain my regular 5-day work week and 2-day weekend. My salary doesn’t increase by an extra day. I don’t automatically receive an extra day of paid vacation. The laundry still piles up in the usual increments. And I’m not aware of any Leap Year festivals.

The arrival of spring, however, is cause for celebration. The sun shifts to the northern hemisphere. Daylight becomes noticeably longer. Daffodils send up green shoots. The delightful aroma of corned beef and cabbage hangs around Irish pubs mid-March. And birdsong returns to the neighborhood.

I am lucky to reside in a latitude and longitude where the changing of the seasons can be observed and appreciated to such a degree.

And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years…” -Genesis 1:14

With the first day of spring, or Vernal Equinox, just around the corner, my senses reawaken with the Earth. I am observant of Lent, the Christian season leading up to Easter. My prayers have been more repentant as I endeavor to remain conscientious of my sin and how it relates to the suffering of others.

As well as the renewal brought on by the death of the Christ, leaving winter behind and emerging into the freshness of spring also reminds me of the great Exodus of the Hebrew slaves out of Egypt, referred to as Passover.

More of a means to keep myself in check, rather than a means to boast, this season I aim to observe the light by shining my Jesus-light. I hope to open a line of conversation with that woman I frequently run into on the elevator. Pre-pay the restaurant tab of a single senior. Memorize the bible passage written above. Spend a couple hours in the spring woods reconnecting with God (check out the Overland Park Arboretum at http://www.opkansas.org/_Vis/Arboretum/index.cfm. Challenge my pre-teen stepson to an old fashioned board game. Offer to help at Michael and Chrissy’s farm (okay, I’m actually hoping to witness the birth of a foal). Volunteer a Saturday to spring clean my church, and another Saturday to serve in a food pantry.

What will you do to commemorate the great and the not so great spring holidays? However you celebrate, may God bless you to be a blessing. Shalom and selah.