April Fool’s Day is this Friday. Researching the history of this day is an interesting challenge. Some people think it is referenced in The Canterbury Tales from 1392. Geoffrey Chaucer’s “Nun’s Priest’s Tale” is about two fools, and takes place “thritty dayes and two” from the beginning of March, which is April 1st.
Some famous hoaxes have taken place on this day. In 1996, Taco Bell had a full-page ad in The New York Times, claiming they had bought the Liberty Bell to “reduce the country’s debt.” The hoax claimed that they had renamed it the “Taco Liberty Bell.”
Several years ago, Pat Sajak and Alex Trebek switched roles on April Fools Day. Sajak hosted Jeopardy and Trebek hosted Wheel of Fortune.
National Geographic Magazine announced on Twitter on April 1, 2016 that they would no longer be publishing photographs of naked animals.
Mark Twain once said, “April 1st is the day upon which we are reminded of what we are the other three hundred sixty four.”
Jesus told a parable about a man who made and then hoarded a lot of money, never giving any thought about others or about God. God said to him, “You fool, this very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?” (Luke 12: 20)
On April Fool’s Day, and every day, may God help us to not be foolish in preparing for eternity, in our concern for others, in regard to God. Some things are very, very serious. No fooling!