Happy Fifth Sunday after Easter, which is commonly called Rogation Sunday.
The AOC Sunday Report is RIGHT HERE!
What is Rogation Sunday? So glad you asked.
Rogation Sunday
The fifth Sunday after Easter is commonly called Rogation Sunday from the words in the Gospel appointed for the day: "Whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give to you". (The Latin is 'Rogare' - to ask.) In the strictly biblical context, the chief thing to ask for is the spirit of God to enable us to be true children of God.
In the Western Catholic Churches, including the older Anglican traditions particularly before the Reformation and in some higher churches afterwards, processions to bless the crops and to include "beating the bounds", developed from the old Roman rites of "Robigalia" ("robigo": Latin for "rust" or "mould"), when prayers would be offered to the deity for crops to be spared from mildew.
Today the emphasis has shifted. Asking for God’s blessing on growing crops in fields and gardens, and on young lambs and calves remain. In the agricultural cycle, the main themes are seed sowing and the tending of the young plants and animals. This does not pre-suppose that all sowing takes place around Rogation. Sowing is done all the year round, as does the birth and rearing of the young. It is convenient to fix on one particular festival the time to remember these before God in a public way.
In the Northern Hemisphere, Rogation Sunday takes place in the springtime, when there is a renewing of the earth. In this country, it follows Easter, the season of resurrection. Renewal and resurrection therefore are also underlying themes of this occasion.
But, there is far more to the day than that. The real meaning is in rogare. If you don’t ask, you won’t get. You have to ask God in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for what you want so that you can get what you need. You have to ask. Then, once you get what you need, act of the gift and thank God for that gift.
The main thing to remember is “Ask and ye shall receive.” For, if you do not ask, you cannot receive.
Today we have great sermons from Bishops Jerry and Roy, as well as Revs Jack and Bryan. They are each quite good in their own styles. You should enjoy them. Rev Jack's is available on video RIGHT HERE.
There are always a lot of people who need your prayer, today is not the exception to that rule. Please take a little time out of your day or week to pray; start with Tricia, Shamu, Obra, Jim, Mary Lou and Laurie, work out from there.
There is a great week ahead, if you are having trouble seeing it, consider letting the Holy Ghost deeper into your soul. He will shine a light bright enough for you to see through the darkest of times.
Have a super week!
Godspeed,
Church of the Faithful Centurion
Descanso, California
United States of America
