Psalm of David. “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell within.” Psalm 24:1

Rogation Day

This coming Sunday is Rogation Day, a day that was originally set aside to honor God for his creation, and to pray for the fruits of the earth and of the sea, to give thanks for the gifts of labor, and to acknowledge our stewardship of it all. In the more agricultural days of yesteryear it was common for the church to gather on Rogation Day to ask God to bless the crop being sown, to ask for rain and to bless it with a good harvest. Often prayers would be said or sung as the people processed around the boundaries of the church property. It was referred to as “beating the bounds” to mark and establish the boundaries while blessing the trees, stones, the field, and to impress the borders of the church property in everyone’s minds. Over the years it has ceased to be necessary due to modern surveying techniques, and it has become mainly ceremonial. It is a rich and wonderful world we live in, and Rogation Day is a good time to give thanks to God, and to remind ourselves of how privileged we are to be, not masters or owners, but stewards of all that God has created.

gracedeacon@gwi.net