Reclaiming Rogation: Day III

The Rogation Days – traditionally the three days preceding Ascension Day – are a time for prayers of petition. The roots of these days in rural England is reflected in the timing of the days to coincide with the planting of crops in that part of the world, in prayers for the land and crops, and in the tradition of Rogation processions to bless the fields. In our current prayer book, readings and collects for the three days focus on these traditional rural concerns the first day, commerce and industry the second day, and stewardship of creation the third day.

Even though Rogation Days are ignored by many in the church today, we are blessed to have inherited the tradition of setting aside days to pray for the conditions we need to grow good crops, for industries and commercial ventures that are responsive to God’s will and that provide workers a just return for their labor, and for stewardship of creation. Rogation Sunday – the Sunday before Ascension Day – and the Rogation Days can be more than a wistful nod back to a charming tradition. This season of Rogation can be reclaimed to give us a time to talk about, think about, and pray about some vital issues.

Day III

The Collect for the third of the Rogation Days is “For stewardship of creation” (see below). Marion Hatchett’s Commentary on the American Prayer Book tells us (p. 214) that this is the new version of a collect called “For Faithfulness in the Use of this World’s Goods” that was included in the 1928 prayer book; that collect was based on a prayer that appeared in the Book of Offices proposed to the General Convention of 1889: “For the Rich”.

A prayer for the rich goes well with two of the lessons for Rogation Days III. The Gospel lesson (Luke 12:13-21 ) is the parable of the rich fool, the fellow who says he will build bigger barns and then  “I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” The lesson from I Timothy (I Timothy 6:7-10, 17-19) is the passage that tells us that the love of money is “a root of all kinds of evil”. It advises those who are rich to look to God for hope, adding that “they are to do good, to be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share, thus storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of the life that really is life.”

The idea of “storing up…a good foundation for the future” applies not only to eternal life, but to our future on earth. How we who, by the world’s standards, are among the wealthy use our wealth has a big impact on the planet. If we continue to “eat, drink, and be merry”, consuming vast amounts of resources while denying reality, our future is pretty bleak. A story from Reuters news today is headlined: Door to 2 degree temperature limit isclosing – IEA. It quotes Fatih Birol, the chief economist of the International Energy Agency (IEA) saying that with existing investments for more power plants being built, “we are seeing the door for a 2 degree Celsius target about to be closed and closed forever.” Scientists tell us that a global temperature rise greater than two degrees Celsius raises the likelihood of climate instability with weather extremes becoming common. Birol warns, “This door is getting slimmer and slimmer in terms of physical and economic possibility.”

The choices we make as consumers and investors are key components of good stewardship. The issues of agricultural stability, integrity, and justice that were raised by the lessons and collects of the other two Rogation Days come together when we consider stewardship of our resources.

For the Rich

O ALMIGHTY God, we beseech thee to send thy grace upon those whom thou hast entrusted with great possessions, that they may praise thee in their lives, honour thee with their wealth, and lead others by their example to seek for that inheritance which thy beloved Son will give to all those who have followed him. Have mercy upon such as neglect to minister to the wants of thy poor; and grant that, remembering the account of their stewardship which they must one day give, they may be faithful almoners of thy bounty, and so at last attain to thy heavenly kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (From the Book of Offices proposed to General Convention, 1889)

For stewardship of creation

O merciful Creator, your hand is open wide to satisfy the needs of every living creature: Make us always thankful for your loving providence; and grant that we, remembering the account that we must one day give, may be faithful stewards of your good gifts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit live and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (The Book of Common Prayer, p. 259)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

Reclaiming Rogation: Day II

The Rogation Days – traditionally the three days preceding Ascension Day – are a time for prayers of petition. The roots of these days in rural England is reflected in the timing of the days to coincide with the planting of crops in that part of the world, in prayers for the land and crops, and in the tradition of Rogation processions to bless the fields. In our current prayer book, readings and collects for the three days focus on these traditional rural concerns the first day, commerce and industry the second day, and stewardship of creation the third day.

Even though Rogation Days are ignored by many in the church today, we are blessed to have inherited the tradition of setting aside days to pray for the conditions we need to grow good crops, for industries and commercial ventures that are responsive to God’s will and that provide workers a just return for their labor, and for stewardship of creation. Rogation Sunday – the Sunday before Ascension Day – and the Rogation Days can be more than a wistful nod back to a charming tradition. This season of Rogation can be reclaimed to give us a time to talk about, think about, and pray about some vital issues.

Day II

The second of the Rogation Days leads us to reflection on the meaning and purpose of work. Today many more Episcopalians are involved in some form of commerce or industry than are involved in planting and harvesting fields.  The Collect for Day II -- “For commerce and industry”  -- asks for God’s presence in the workplace, for those involved in commerce and industry to be responsive to God’s will; it asks that we might find pride in our work and have “a just return for our labor”.

The Gospel lesson (Matthew 6: 19-24) reminds us that no one can serve both God and wealth. One of them must take priority over the other. This would count as a fairly radical notion in some circles today, suggesting as it does that the pursuit of wealth and the pursuit of righteousness are two very different things. Jesus isn’t saying that it’s wrong to make a living or even to do very well at it; he is saying that there are some things more important than maximizing profits for the wealthy. Those things would include what the Collect mentions – doing work that is responsive to God’s will rather than working against God’s will, making sure that workers are paid fairly, being people of integrity who invite God into the workplace rather than compartmentalizing business and faith.

When we get our priorities straight and live according to our Christian values throughout the week, we end up doing our work in a way that upholds good stewardship of all our resources. We know that God has given us the gifts of land, water, air, and an amazingly diverse world of living things, and that care of those gifts must come before the accumulation of wealth. When we serve God first above all else, we see the necessity of sacrificing some wealth and luxuries and comforts for the long-term benefit of humankind and the rest of creation. The implications for industries employing practices such as mountaintop removal, fracking, and tar sands extraction are clear.

For commerce and industry

Almighty God, whose 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 to us all a pride in what we do, and a just return for our labot; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (The Book of Common Prayer, p. 259)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

Reclaiming Rogation: Day I

The Rogation Days – traditionally the three days preceding Ascension Day – are a time for prayers of petition. The roots of these days in rural England is reflected in the timing of the days to coincide with the planting of crops in that part of the world, in prayers for the land and crops, and in the tradition of Rogation processions to bless the fields. In our current prayer book, readings and collects for the three days focus on these traditional rural concerns the first day, commerce and industry the second day, and stewardship of creation the third day.

Even though Rogation Days are ignored by many in the church today, we are blessed to have inherited the tradition of setting aside days to pray for the conditions we need to grow good crops, for industries and commercial ventures that are responsive to God’s will and that provide workers a just return for their labor, and for stewardship of creation. Rogation Sunday – the Sunday before Ascension Day – and the Rogation Days can be more than a wistful nod back to a charming tradition. This season of Rogation can be reclaimed to give us a time to talk about, think about, and pray about some vital issues.

Day I

The Collect for today, the first of the Rogation Days, is entitled “For fruitful seasons”. This Collect and the readings for today focus on a petition for harvests “of the land and of the seas” and the conditions necessary for sustaining good harvests.  This is something we understand in Nebraska, where our economy is based on agriculture! Climate stability, clean and plentiful water in our rivers, creeks, and aquifer, and soil conservation are all part of what we pray for when we pray for good growing conditions.

In one of the options for the Old Testament lesson for this Rogation Day (Jeremiah 14:1-9), Jeremiah describes the effects of a severe drought. The drought affects people – “the farmers are dismayed” – and wildlife – “Even the doe in the field forsakes her newborn fawn because there is no grass.” The passage ends with a plea for God’s help and a reminder of God’s presence. In a similar way, the passage from Romans (Romans 8:18-25) talks about living in hope while "the whole creation" is groaning. Paul reminds the Romans that hope is hope only when we can’t see the very thing for which we are hoping: “Now hope that is seen is not hope.”

In a time when severe weather events have been increasing, when the amount of greenhouse gases associated with climate change is increasing, and when the aggressive extraction of fossil fuels threatens not only our water and the Sandhills eco-system in Nebraska, but also water, land, and air quality in many places, these passages can remind us that we can live in hope even when the chances of turning things around seem to be slim.    

For fruitful seasons

Almighty God, Lord of heaven and earth: We humbly pray that your gracious providence may give and preserve to our use the harvests of the land and of the seas, and may prosper all who labor to gather them, that we, who are constantly receiving good things from your hand, may always give you thanks; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (The Book of Common Prayer, pp. 258-259)