I grew up as part of the spiritual family of Hardwick Christian Church. Along with my parents and sisters, I learned about Jesus and the Bible there. I don’t ever remember a Sunday throughout my childhood and into my teen years when I was not in that church building and doing life with those wonderful people. So many of those delightful folks have received their heavenly reward, but many, though scattered around the country, still remain faithful followers and servants of our Lord to this day. I have such great memories of those years spent with my church family throughout the late 1950’s, 60’s and early 70’s. The caring people, impactful events, and formative lessons and messages forever changed my life. 

Maybe you’re like me when it comes to the influence of time spent in church. Specific sermons and lessons are often easily forgotten, but their underlying truth remains.

Today is April 1st.  It is commonly known as “April Fool’s Day.”  I don’t know about you, but I am not in the mood for pranks and jokes during this virus pandemic!  This is a serious unprecedented time in our nation, and around the world, as we globally do what we can to stop the spread of this virus. In fact, as I’m writing this, the city of Gainesville has issued a shelter-in-place order effective at midnight. Please listen to the health professionals, including those in our church, who are advising us to just stay home. With that being said, on this April Fool’s Day I want to share with you the story of someone who was no fool.  

I read a story yesterday that captured my attention in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic that we are all dealing with right now. It’s the story of Don Guiseppe Berardelli (pictured), a Catholic priest from Lovere, Italy. After contracting the Coronavirus, members of his local church bought a ventilator for him to use in the hospital. The 72-year-old priest refused it, however, and gave the ventilator to a much younger patient in the hospital. Berardelli died from the virus on March 15, but his sacrifice is enabling another to live. I’m not Catholic, but if I was, I would want Father Berardelli to be my priest. His self-sacrifice reminds me of another priest we read about in the Bible—our great High Priest.