It is now the Lenten season. Forty days of preparation preceding the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus. This year, Resurrection Day falls on April 1st.

Ah, I can hear them now, the remarks about the foolishness of belief—snide words: “He is risen! April Fools! Just kidding!” Only fools could believe this resurrection mythology. The life of Jesus ended, not with a bang, but with a sneer. Use your head. How appropriate such nonsense falls upon April Fools Day!

There are many who see followers of Jesus as “hollow men; stuffed men, leaning together, headpiece filled with straw”; deluded people leaning on empty promises, living in a world destined to end with a whimper. **

No matter. I’m foolish enough to believe for more; to hope, laugh and look forward to more.

Count me among the April foolish. I don’t mind. I am grateful for the convergence of days because it means that this year I can stand with the Apostle Paul and declare “we are fools for Christ.” I can openly rejoice in the triumphant foolishness of God that is wiser than I am. I can rest in the confidence of what Frederick Buechner calls the Magnificent Defeat. *

This year on April Fool’s Day I will celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. On that day I will declare I am nobody’s fool. I am a fool for Christ.

Whose fool are you?

*Reference to The Magnificent Defeat by Frederick Buechner.

**Words taken from The Hollow Men by T.S. Eliot