Thoughts for the Day

May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face to shine upon us,
that your way may be known upon earth,
your saving power among all nations.
Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you.

Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,
for you judge the peoples with equity
and guide the nations upon earth.
Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you.

The earth has yielded its increase;
God, our God, has blessed us.
May God continue to bless us;
let all the ends of the earth revere him.

(Church in Wales Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Today is Rogation Sunday, a very old festival. The word roger means to ask or beseech, and for the church it means that we ask God's blessing upon our crops, or near the coast our fishering. There are many customs and traditions associated with this day and the three days following. In the United Kingdom, parishes were accustomed to "beating the bounds". When maps were scarce it was important that everyone in a village new the boundaries of the parish, and once a year took the opportunity to walk them. Often young people were 'bumped' on boundary stones, thrown into streams, or dragged through hedges, to help them remember what land belonged to the village. They were then usually given some reward.

But primarily, then and now, it's a time to stop and ask God to bless all that grows, both animals and crops. In a world where we no longer only plant crops in the Spring it is obviously not so applicable. However, as the opposite of harvest, there is always a need to ask God's blessing on all that grows whether we live in a town or the country, and especially at a time when people are struggling to feed themselves.

Heavenly Father,
we ask Your blessing on all crops grown for food;
and on those who farm or fish.
We pray for all who struggle to make a living
in agriculture or fishing,
and for those like vets who seek to help them.
May we never take their struggles for granted,
but continue to pray for their wellfare,
and be grateful for their work.
Amen.