Spiritual Grounding for May Day & Everyday

On May 1, the hosts framed the day as a call to nonviolent resistance, highlighting a nationwide surge of economic withdrawal—no work, no school, no shopping—as a tool against authoritarian power. In North Carolina, a stalled budget left teachers unpaid, prompting more than 20 districts to close and prompting families to join picket lines. The episode recalled the 1886 eight‑hour workday strike and the Haymarket Massacre, reminding listeners that International Workers’ Day has deep roots in labor solidarity and collective action.

The conversation then turned to the ongoing revision of the Common Prayer book, noting that the new edition will excise Cesar Chavez quotations after credible abuse reports emerged. Replacing the removed material, the hosts read a passage from Pope Francis’ 2020 encyclical Fratelli Tutti, which calls for inclusive social and economic participation that lifts the excluded. This editorial decision underscores how faith resources must grapple with historical complexities, ensuring that liturgical language aligns with contemporary ethical standards while still offering a framework for justice‑oriented prayer. Zach Lambert’s personal narrative illustrates that journey from a Southern Baptist upbringing to a radical, liberation‑theology‑inspired ministry.

After planting a mobile congregation in Austin in 2016, his church now celebrates a decade of serving people who have left their former denominations—so‑called “nuns”—with roughly 90 percent of the original members having been disengaged for years. He cites research showing 40 million Americans have exited church life in the last 25 years, a trend accelerated by authoritarian‑leaning Christian nationalism. His model suggests that flexible, community‑focused churches may become vital anchors for a disaffiliating generation.