Thoughts for the Day

O Lord, how manifold are your works!
In wisdom you have made them all;
the earth is full of your creatures.
Yonder is the sea, great and wide,
creeping things innumerable are there,
living things both small and great.
There go the ships,
and Leviathan that you formed to sport in it.

These all look to you
to give them their food in due season;
when you give to them, they gather it up;
when you open your hand, they are filled with good things.
When you hide your face, they are dismayed;
when you take away their breath, they die
and return to their dust.
When you send forth your spirit, they are created;
and you renew the face of the ground.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

For the past thirty years of my ministry I have worked in rural areas and in each Diocese I helped select those looking to offer themselves for ministry or worked to train them on local courses. I had a real desire to help discover, and then work with men and women who cared for rural ministry; who were happy to work with small villages; encourage tiny congregations; yet have the joy of living as part of a real community and fighting for the survival of hamlets and villages.

Rogation Days are the three days preceding Ascension Day, that are especially devoted to asking for God’s blessing on agriculture and its industry. It reminds us that our lives and seasons are in God's hands. The word "rogation" comes from the Latin word rogatio, meaning "asking" or "to ask". In the past churches would hold processions, or walk the bounds of the parish, and many still hold services on farms on the Sunday. Unfortunately, many churches in towns seem to have decided not to observe this time of the church year. Yet all of us are dependent on agriculture and all that it means - rivers, forests, farmers, the seas, and the fishing industry, to name a few things.

Today, may we all spend some time in reflection on the rural areas of our own country or area, and of those who work so hard to feed us or provide us with quality leisure time?

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Collect for Rogationtide

Almighty God,
Your Son Jesus Christ in his earthly life
shared our toil and hallowed our labor:
be present with Your people where they work;
make those who carry on the industries
and commerce of this land responsive to Your will;
and give us all a right satisfaction in what we do,
and a just return for our labour.
Amen.