Mayday

"Mayday" --from the French "m'aider", a shortened version of "venez m'aider" (meaning "come and help me").
Today is May 1st, sometimes called "May Day." To celebrate the springtime in the northern hemisphere there would be dancing around the maypole, flowers, and cake.  Not at all like the international distress signal that I have used to title this entry. Then again...
Today is also a Sunday, the day when my family and I go to church to celebrate the victory of our Savior Jesus Christ over sin and death.  The sacred center point of our worship is the opportunity to renew our covenants with Him through the ordinance of the sacrament.  Bread and water are used as emblems symbolic of His sacrifice - His body and His blood - torn, broken, and shed that we might be free.  Each member of the congregation partakes personally and tangibly and remembers.
In the 11th chapter of the book of 3rd Nephi - the high point of the Book of Mormon - the Savior visits the Americas.  His visit begins with a voice - not harsh or loud - but those gathered do not understand it the first or second time.  When they turn to the sound and open their ears they hear the words, "Behold my Beloved Son" (vs. 7).  Yet when He descends, many still believe they are seeing an angel (vs. 8). Then He introduces himself and each one present is given an opportunity to have a personal and tangible experiences with the emblems of His sacrifice for them in His hands feet and side.  After this experience the record states that they all cried out "with one accord saying: Hosanna! Blessed be the name of the Most High God!"  This was their Mayday call.   
"Hōsanná" – a transliteration of the Hebrew term (hôsî-âh-nā) meaning "Oh, save now!" or "Please save!"     
It is personal tangible contact with the emblems of His sacrifice for us that allows us to see our desperate need for the salvation only he can offer. Theirs then, and ours now - our mayday.  Happy May Day.