ROGATION SUNDAY

Rogation Sunday is the day when the Church has traditionally offered prayer for God’s blessings on the fruits of the earth and the labours of those who produce our food.  The word “rogation” is from the Latin rogare, “to ask”.  Historically, the Rogation Days (the three days before Ascension Day) were a period of fasting and abstinence, beseeching God’s blessing on the crops for a bountiful harvest.  A few of us today directly derive our livelihood from the production of food, yet it is good to be reminded of our dependence on those who do and our responsibility for the environment.

Rogation week is also known as Rogantide, the week in which Ascension Day falls in May, beginning with Rogation Sunday, the Sunday before Ascension Day.  Religious Ceremonies would take place over a period of three days of the week; Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, involving the Parish Priest, Church Wardens and other officiates of the Church.

Today is our Harvest Launch which when contextualized in the Spirit of Rogation Sunday is a day that seeds are sown in faith to guarantee a bumper harvest later in the year.  It offers the opportunity for all parishioners to receive prayers on their professions, vocations and businesses.  Apostle Paul teaches on the principle of planting and reaping in 2 Cor. 9; 6 – 8. According to him, the quantity and quality of our farmland and seed respectively determine our harvest.  He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.  He says further that each of us should give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.  In Galatians 6; 7 – 9, he reiterates, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.  For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.  And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”

The harvest is certain and the reward is guaranteed since God is not unjust that He will forget our work and labour of love which we have shown toward His name, in that we have ministered to the Saints, and do Minister – Heb. 6;10. We have a promise of abundant blessings in Exodus 23; 25– 33, if we will serve the LORD our God.  These blessings include but are not limited to: prosperity (vs. 25a), sound and robust health (vs. 25b), fruitfulness in marriage (vs. 26a), longevity (vs. 26b), victory over enemies and circumstances (vs. 27-30), divine inheritance, super abundance, and an all-round peace (vs. 31-33).  All these are God’s promises for all those who will serve Him through the everlasting covenant that we have entered into in Christ Jesus.  Let us not be distracted or misled but rather remain steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord knowing that our labour is not in vain in the Lord – 1 Cor. 15: 58.

Our attitude will always determine our altitude.  Let us entrust our lives and treasure into the hand of God.  Apostle Peter despite his unpleasant and fruitless experience released his boat to Jesus and also obeyed selflessly in Luke 5; 1 – 11, he had an amazing and ex-ordinary experience of super-abundance.

It is my turn to experience an unforgettable and memorable God’s provision and intervention.