Rogation Sunday, May 5, 2013
Rogation Sunday, a time of celebration and prayer, is a time set aside to appreciate and recognize our dependence upon the land for our food and most importantly upon our dependence of God for the miracles of sprouting seeds, growing plants, and maturing harvest.
The Rogation Days, the Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday before Ascension Day, originated in Vienne, Francein 470 after a series of natural disasters had caused much suffering among the people. Archbishop Mamertus proclaimed a fast and ordered that special litanies and prayers be said as the population processed around their fields, asking God’s protection and blessing on the crops that were just beginning to sprout.
The Latin word rogare means "to ask", thus these were "rogation" processions. In an agricultural society, closely connected with the soil and highly vulnerable to the uncertainties of nature, this was an idea that took root quickly, and the custom spread around Europe and over to Britain. The Sunday before the Rogation Days came to be considered a part of Rogationtide (or "Rogantide") and was known as Rogation Sunday. The Gospel formerly appointed for that day was from John 16, where Jesus tells his disciples to ask, and ye shall receive.
This is a time to recognize those who till the field for a living. I had a conversation with Johnny Davis our only full time farmer. He has done this all of his life I asked simply "what has changed about farming over your life time.
1. There is a better relationship with the land. With modern equipment, the land is disturbed less in contrast to mechanized plows of an earlier generation. Also, with better efficiencies, less fuel is used decreasing c02 gases and lowering these costs
2. Crop insurance. Crop insurance helps to supplement the income of a farmer when there are losses of crops. Approximately 80 percent of acres of major program crops are insured–many at higher levels of coverage.
3. Increased cost of seed and inputs as well as machines. $50 to $250 for a basic 50 pound unit.