May Day, celebrated on the 1st of May, has been a harbinger of springtime for thousands of years.  It marks the return of Creation’s cavalcade of colors.  Radiant streamers and hopeful dreamers dance ‘round the maypole, ‘round the world.

But regrettably these days the painful, fearful cry of “Mayday, Mayday, Mayday!” supplants the sounds of merriment on too much of our distressed planet. This term for announcing doom was coined in 1923 by a London airport radio operator. To Frederick Mockford, it sounded like “m’aider,” French for “Come help me!”

History recounts a dark and stormy night when Jesus and His sidekicks were bucking the gales on Galilee, the inland sea in northern Israel.  Soon the violent squall amped up the disciples’ fear index to the point where they aroused their sleeping Rabbi, accusing Him of ignoring their concern and impending peril.

With a voice reeking with supernatural authority and power, Jesus railed against the wind.  Instantly decibels disappeared, and the roiling waves became smooth as glass. With the timing and commanding presence of a Shakespearian actor, Jesus posed the question which you and I must answer as well:

‍Why are you fearful?  Have you lost your faith in Me?”

Luke 8:22-25

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