05-01-25

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
May 1, 2025
How many of you have your May Baskets ready for delivery today? Growing up, this was a big deal. We spent a couple of days prepping the baskets, making sure each one looked great. Since we were in Nebraska, there were not a lot of flowers in the garden on May 1, so we often cut them from construction paper. Then, if it was a school day, we’d get home as quickly as we could and deliver them to certain neighbors. And of course, the baskets were anonymous. We usually had a few deliveries that were far enough away that we would wait for Mom to get off work and take us. From what I understand, there are still some communities that celebrate May Day with baskets, but for the most part, it is a tradition that has slipped away. And of course, in Texas, what do you count as the first day of spring? Though technically not May 1, for Nebraskans, it was sort of the day we finally felt confident that no more freezes would come our way. Some time ago, I shared the wonderful memories I had of making May Baskets, and I am not exaggerating when I say that I was rebuked in the name of Jesus for participating in pagan rituals. It wasn’t just a sweet sort of caution, but an all-out assault on the demonic and heathenistic practices that clearly, from this woman’s perspective, still pulsated in my veins. It sort of makes me laugh, for as a kid, I was not trying to determine what sacrifice would need to be made to the pagan gods prior to delivering the baskets. I was not cutting out flowers to glue onto the basket because of a deep connection to the spring equinox and fertility cult. Even though my Christian faith was pretty simple, it felt good to give a gift to someone else anonymously, a free gift with no strings attached. Certain corners of Christianity can suck the joy and fun out of life for no other reason than misdirected fear of something that did not need to be feared. I won’t be delivering May Baskets this year, but maybe I’ll find another opportunity to give an anonymous gift, with no strings attached. Of course, I will do that after making my annual sacrifice to the Celtic god, Cernunnos, who holds power over the trees and flowers. Sorry, I had to toss in some sarcasm at the end.

Continue to invite me into a life filled with good works, kind actions, and the demonstration of compassion. And even if some complain, keep me focused on the things in Jesus’ life. This I ask of you, Generous and Gracious God. Amen.