Book of Days

I am, I think, far too lazy to hold grudges against people or to be offended by things others say or do or to worry what others think of me. I’ve witnessed others hold grudges and be offended and the like, and it takes a lot of work and energy to do so. Choosing harmony is what I prefer. It’s just plain easier.

Harmony is the theme of this day. It is the old Roman feast of Concordia: a day for folks to reconcile their differences, to make amends, traditionally celebrated as a meal amongst family and friends, with one purpose: the settling of all disputes that cause discord. Plain and simple, no need to elaborate further. Harmony begins with each of us, and here, today with Concordia, the Romans had a simple reset button. When you’re ready to move on, do it.

Image: “Some have Entertained Angels Unawares” by Edward Clifford. Watercolor, late 19th century. [Public domain] via Wikimedia Commons.

It is perhaps a sign of our times (or of our natures) that the word concord does not get used very much these days, and even accord is a word we hear rarely; yet we are all too familiar with the word discord. Concord is agreement, harmony, unanimity, and discord: well, we all know about that.

The ancient Romans had a day to deal with these things, and it is today, the 22nd of February. It is the Feast of Concordia, a feast of goodwill and harmony, and the concept was simple: family and friends gather for a meal and at that meal, all disputes are settled. It is a day to make amends for wrongs done, a day to reconcile differences. To put discord to rest and to nurture concord. To do this over bread and wine is a simple, humble act.

If there is discord in your life, perhaps this is the ritual needed to turn that into concord, to activate peace and harmony. To be sure, the concord involves a willingness from both parties, and someone, of course, must have the courage to take the first step. But being willing to let go of bitterness and to activate concord is a dramatic change, and even if you find the other party unwilling, you have given yourself a great gift in releasing the power the discord has over you. That is the gift of this day, the gift of Concordia. And so we wish you harmony and goodwill.

A simple post today, a reminder that tomorrow, the 22nd of February, is the Roman festival of the goddess Concordia. It is a feast of goodwill that was known also as Charistia. This is a day for folks to reconcile their differences, to make amends, and it was traditionally celebrated as a meal amongst family and friends, with one purpose: the settling of all disputes that cause discord. Harmony is the goal.

When I ponder all the people in my family lore, all the ancestors, all the folks in old sepia and black and white photographs, and when I think of all the stories that accompany the faces, I think about Concordia and this very special day set aside for the resolution of differences. I think about the people we remember who never had a pleasant or positive thing to say, and I think about the people we remember with kindness, and I know exactly into which camp I hope the people who come afterwards place me.

Image: “Convito,” a fresco painting from Pompeii, now in the Museo Archeologico Nazionale (Naples, Italy), before 79 AD, [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons.