Wednesday, May 13, 2015

James 5:13-18

Today is the last of the three Rogation Days that immediately precede Ascension Day. The observance of Rogation Days isn't as common as it used to be, but maybe something about them is worth maintaining. So let’s dig in for a second. 

Rogare in Latin means “ask,” and comes out of the Gospel reading for Rogation Sunday (in the Book of Common Prayer), where we read from John 16 that “Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it to you.” Over time it seems that a Roman festival relating to land boundaries was adapted by the Church, so this time of year became a time to focus on, and pray about, fields and crops. It might sound too bizarre to be true, but I’ve read that there would be processions through farmlands where kids would get thrown into ponds and ditches, as a way of very clearly and memorably demonstrating where one person’s land ended and another’s began. 

Now that the Anglican Church is a worldwide Communion, some think it unhelpful to maintain traditional Rogation Days, as different climates bring about different seasons for sowing and reaping. This may be true, but maybe we’d be wise to spend some extra time on these special days, praying for farmers, giving thanks for our food, praying and acting for responsible stewardship of the land, and so forth. A good tradition might be to take your family to buy some food from a farm or two, as a kind of a field trip and maybe even educational experience. 

Can I tie in the Rogation Days to our reading today? Sure. In the Letter from James we’ve just read about healing practices in the early Church. This involves representatives from the church (so this is predicated on the existence of wholesome relationships between Christians), and the anointing with oil, a practice that is still fairly commonplace in Anglican (and other) churches to this day. Isn’t that a wonderful symbol (i.e. sacrament -- outward/visible sign, inward/spiritual grace, etc. etc.), of making use of a very commonplace, tangible substance to convey God’s love for us, and the Church’s support of those who are suffering and seeking help? This passage links everyday substances, our physical lives, and our human relationships, with our spiritual health and our relationship with God. Likewise, the Rogation Days make us mindful of the connection between our use of the fruits of the earth, the importance of being respectful neighbours, and our dependence on God for that which sustains us, physically and spiritually. 

- Matthew Kieswetter