Today, being 1st May is a Saints Day, a Political Day and one of ancient traditions. In our modern world the edges between those three things are blurred, not necessarily wrongly.
The ancient celebrations of May Day marked the beginnings of summer. Flowers and dancing, music and jollity can be traced back to the Roman Goddess Flora, after whom the festival of Floralia was named, it being celebrated in the Roman Republican era between 27th April and 3rd May. The very thought of it turns the mind to sunshine and warm breezes after the winds of March and squally showers of April.
An equally long time ago, the relics of Saints Philip and James the Less were taken together and placed, it is said, in the Church of the Holy Apostles in Rome and thereafter they shared a Saints’ Day. Originally kept on May 1st, the Roman Catholic Church later changed the date of their Day to May 3rd. Both Apostles had been Martyred.
Many countries commemorate Workers’ Day, or International Workers’ Day today. It is a moment to remember the struggle of workers on many fronts, particularly in safety of working conditions and fairness of treatment. Some of the struggles have been long and bitter.
The harshness of the natural world in winter, the harshness of the religious world as a new church grew and the harshness of the modern industrial landscape as it developed all made their mark on the development of civilisation and the people we are now.
Let us show respect for the memory of them all as we turn towards the summer and make the best of life in all its fullness in the post resurrection world.
A Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, risen from the dead and Lord of all, you know the sufferings of the past and the blessings we enjoy now. Help us to be grateful for all that has been done by those who have sought to preserve right, justice and truth and to struggle for better lives and safer homes for all. May we not forget, and ever pray for those still engaged in the struggle for your own name’s sake. Amen.