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The Second Rogation Day
A succinct explanation of the history and meaning of Rogation Days can be found at https://www.saintmarksrec.org/blog-1/2020/5/14/what-are-the-rogation-days.
Rogation comes from the Latin word rogaré which means “to ask”. Historically it dates back to 470 AD when the Goths were invading France, and natural disasters including disease, fires, and even animal attacks threatened the well-being of the harvest as well as the people themselves. When Rogationtide began, the parishioners would process the cross around the parish boundaries, praying, reading the Gospel, and checking in on their neighbors. It was more than social, it was a recognition that the well-being of everyone in the community was critical to the survival of any one of them. A renewed interest in gardening and creation care has also increased interest in Rogation Days and there are a plethora of resources from the Episcopal Committee for Creation Care as well as others, such as this one, from which some of our prayers today have been adapted. https://christandcascadia.com/2021/05/13/rogation-days-cascadian-key/
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
O God, let our mouth proclaim your praise.
And your glory all the day long.
Praise to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Alleluia!
Venite Psalm 95:1-7
Alleluia. Christ is risen. O come let us worship. Alleluia.
Come, let us sing to the Lord; *
let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come before God’s presence with thanksgiving *
and raise a loud shout to the Lord with psalms.
For you are a great God, *
you are great above all gods.
In your hand are the caverns of the earth, *
and the heights of the hills are yours also.
The sea is yours, for you made it, *
and your hands have molded the dry land.
Come, let us bow down, and bend the knee, *
and kneel before the Lord our Maker.
For you are our God, and we are the people of your pasture and the sheep of your hand. *
Oh, that today we would hearken to your voice!
Alleluia. Christ is risen. O come let us worship. Alleluia.
Psalm 78: Part I
Hear my teaching, O my people; *
incline your ears to the words of my mouth.
I will open my mouth in a parable; *
I will declare the mysteries of ancient times.
That which we have heard and known, and what our ancestors have told us*
we will not hide from their children.
We will recount to generations to come the praiseworthy deeds and the power of YHWH, *
and the wonderful works GOD has done.
GOD gave their decrees to Jacob and established a law for Israel, *
which GOD commanded them to teach their children;
That the generations to come might know, and the children yet unborn; *
that they in their turn might tell it to their children;
So that they might put their trust in God, *
and not forget the deeds of God, but keep God’s commandments;
And not be like their ancestors, a stubborn and rebellious generation, *
a generation whose heart was not steadfast, and whose spirit was not faithful to God.
The people of Ephraim, armed with the bow, *
turned back in the day of battle;
They did not keep the covenant of God, *
and refused to walk in God’s law;
They forgot what God had done, *
and the wonders God had shown them.
God worked marvels in the sight of their ancestors, *
in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan.
God split open the sea and let them pass through; *
God made the waters stand up like walls.
God led them with a cloud by day, *
and all the night through with a glow of fire.
God split the hard rocks in the wilderness *
and gave them drink as from the great deep.
God brought streams out of the cliff, *
and the waters gushed out like rivers.
But they went on sinning against God, *
rebelling in the desert against the Most High.
They tested God in their hearts, *
demanding food for their craving.
They railed against God and said, *
“Can God set a table in the wilderness?
True, God struck the rock, the waters gushed out, and the gullies overflowed; *
but is God able to give bread or to provide meat for God’s people?”
When YHWH heard this, GOD was full of wrath; *
a fire was kindled against Jacob, and God’s anger mounted against Israel;
For they had no faith in God, *
nor did they put their trust in God’s saving power.
So God commanded the clouds above *
and opened the doors of heaven.
God rained down manna upon them to eat *
and gave them grain from heaven.
So mortals ate the bread of angels; *
God provided for them food enough.
God caused the east wind to blow in the heavens *
and led out the south wind by God’s might.
God rained down flesh upon them like dust *
and wingèd birds like the sand of the sea.
God let it fall in the midst of their camp *
and round about their dwellings.
So they ate and were well filled, *
for God gave them what they craved.
But they did not stop their craving, *
though the food was still in their mouths.
So God’s anger mounted against them; *
God slew their strongest ones and laid low the youth of Israel.
In spite of all this, they went on sinning *
and had no faith in God’s wonderful works.
So God brought their days to an end like a breath *
and their years in sudden terror.
Whenever God slew them, they would seek God, *
and repent, and diligently search for God.
They would remember that God was their rock, *
and the Most High God their redeemer.
But they flattered God with their mouths *
and lied to God with their tongues.
Their heart was not steadfast toward God, *
and they were not faithful to God’s covenant.
But God was so merciful that God forgave their sins and did not destroy them;*
many times God held back God’s anger and did not permit God’s wrath to be roused.
For God remembered that they were but flesh, *
a breath that goes forth and does not return.
Praise to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Leviticus 26:1-20
You shall make for yourselves no idols and erect no carved images or pillars, and you shall not place figured stones in your land, to worship at them; for I am the LORD your God. You shall keep my sabbaths and reverence my sanctuary: I am the LORD. If you follow my statutes and keep my commandments and observe them faithfully, I will give you your rains in their season, and the land shall yield its produce, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit. Your threshing shall overtake the vintage, and the vintage shall overtake the sowing; you shall eat your bread to the full, and live securely in your land. And I will grant peace in the land, and you shall lie down, and no one shall make you afraid; I will remove dangerous animals from the land, and no sword shall go through your land. You shall give chase to your enemies, and they shall fall before you by the sword. Five of you shall give chase to a hundred, and a hundred of you shall give chase to ten thousand; your enemies shall fall before you by the sword. I will look with favor upon you and make you fruitful and multiply you; and I will maintain my covenant with you. You shall eat old grain long stored, and you shall have to clear out the old to make way for the new. I will place my dwelling in your midst, and I shall not abhor you. And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and you shall be my people. I am the LORD your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be their slaves no more; I have broken the bars of your yoke and made you walk erect.
But if you will not obey me, and do not observe all these commandments, if you spurn my statutes, and abhor my ordinances, so that you will not observe all my commandments, and you break my covenant, I in turn will do this to you: I will bring terror on you; consumption and fever that waste the eyes and cause life to pine away. You shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it. I will set my face against you, and you shall be struck down by your enemies; your foes shall rule over you, and you shall flee though no one pursues you. And if in spite of this you will not obey me, I will continue to punish you sevenfold for your sins. I will break your proud glory, and I will make your sky like iron and your earth like copper. Your strength shall be spent to no purpose: your land shall not yield its produce, and the trees of the land shall not yield their fruit.
Canticle B. A Song of Pilgrimage
Ecclesiasticus 51:13-16,20b-22
Before I ventured forth, even while I was very young, *
I sought wisdom openly in my prayer.
In the forecourts of the temple I asked for her, *
and I will seek her to the end.
From first blossom to early fruit, *
she has been the delight of my heart.
My foot has kept firmly to the true path, *
diligently from my youth have I pursued her.
I inclined my ear a little and received her; *
I found for myself much wisdom and became adept in her.
To the one who gives me wisdom will I give glory, *
for I have resolved to live according to her way.
From the beginning I gained courage from her, *
therefore I will not be forsaken.
In my inmost being I have been stirred to seek her, *
therefore have I gained a good possession.
As my reward the Almighty has given me the gift of language, *
and with it will I offer praise to God.
Praise to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Matthew 13:18-23
“Hear then the parable of the sower. When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart; this is what was sown on the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet such a person has no root, but endures only for a while, and when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, that person immediately falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing. But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”
Canticle M A Song of Faith
1 Peter 1:3-4,18-21
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, *
by divine mercy we have a new birth into a living hope;
Through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, *
we have an inheritance that is imperishable in heaven.
The ransom that was paid to free us *
was not paid in silver or gold,
But in the precious blood of Christ, *
the Lamb without spot or stain.
God raised Jesus from the dead and gave him glory *
so that we might have faith and hope in God.
Praise to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Hear our cry, O God.
And listen to our prayer.
Let us pray.
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your Name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins,
as we forgive those
who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial,
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.
V. Help us, O God our Savior;
R. Deliver us and forgive us our sins.
V. Look upon your congregation.
R. Give to your people the blessing of peace.
V. Declare your glory among the nations;
R. And your wonders among all peoples.
V. Do not let the oppressed be shamed and turned away;
R. Never forget the lives of your poor.
V. Continue your loving-kindness to those who know you;
R. And your favor to those who are true of heart.
V. Satisfy us by your loving-kindness in the morning;
R. So shall we rejoice and be glad all the days of our life.
O heavenly Father, you have filled the world with beauty: Open our eyes to recognize your gracious hand in all your works, that, rejoicing in your whole creation, we may learn to serve you with gladness; for the sake of the One through whom all things were made, Jesus Christ our Redeemer. Amen.
O God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: Defend us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries; through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you; for the honor of your Name. Amen.
Intercessions
For favorable weather, temperate rains, and fruitful seasons, that there may be food and drink for all your creatures, we pray to you, O Lord.
O Lord, hear our prayer.
For your blessing upon the lands and waters, and all who work upon them to bring forth food and all things needful for your people, we pray to you, O Lord.
O Lord, hear our prayer.
For all who care for the earth, the water, and the air, that the riches of your creation may abound from age to age, we pray to you, O Lord.
O Lord, hear our prayer.
We name now our prayers and intercessions on behalf of ourselves and the world, ending with:
O heavenly FatherMother, who fills the world with beauty and yearnings for abundance: Open our eyes to recognize your handiwork moving us toward life and love for all; that, rejoicing in your whole creation, we may learn to serve you as we pursue paths of solidarity; for the sake of the One who will come again, through whom all things were made, the Word and Wisdom of God. Amen.
A Prayer of St. Chrysostom
Almighty God, you have given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplication to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will be in the midst of them: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen.
Let us bless the Lord. Alleluia, alleluia.
Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia.
May the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Morning Prayer for Tuesday, May 7 was prepared by the Rev. Hope Laingen, Deacon in the Diocese of Western North Carolina and St. Phoebe School alum.
Concluding prayer of intercession was written by Kristen Daley Mosier, member and lay preacher at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Seattle, Washington.
Collect of the Day and Litany at Intercession are taken from the rogation resources in The Book of Occasional Services pg. 108-109.
Virtual Chapel of St. Phoebe 