The Rogation Days

Being the Three Days before Ascension Day.

The Collect.

ALMIGHTY God, Lord of heaven and earth; We beseech thee to pour forth thy blessing upon this land, and to give us a fruitful season; that we, constantly receiving thy bounty, may evermore give thanks unto thee in thy holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For the Epistle: Ezekiel 34:25-31

“I will make with them a covenant of peace and banish wild beasts from the land, so that they may dwell securely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods. And I will make them and the places all around my hill a blessing, and I will send down the showers in their season; they shall be showers of blessing. And the trees of the field shall yield their fruit, and the earth shall yield its increase, and they shall be secure in their land. And they shall know that I am the Lord, when I break the bars of their yoke, and deliver them from the hand of those who enslaved them. They shall no more be a prey to the nations, nor shall the beasts of the land devour them. They shall dwell securely, and none shall make them afraid. And I will provide for them renowned plantations so that they shall no more be consumed with hunger in the land, and no longer suffer the reproach of the nations. And they shall know that I am the Lord their God with them, and that they, the house of Israel, are my people, declares the Lord God. And you are my sheep, human sheep of my pasture, and I am your God, declares the Lord God.” (ESV)

The Gospel: St. Luke 11:5-13

The Rogation Days -- the three days before Ascension Day, are days of preparation.  After our Lord had arisen from the dead, thereby defeating sin, Satan, and death, He was with His disciples for forty days and then ascended into Heaven, being seated at the right hand of the Father, where He reigns to this day.

The protoepistle lesson for these days, taken from the Old Testament book of Ezekiel, tells of a new covenant to be made between God and His people that will be marked by abundant blessings and peace.  The new covenant is glorious and being continually established as we live the Christian Life.  As we prepare to celebrate Christ's Ascension into Heaven this Thursday, may the reality of the position in which we now stand be renewed in us and as God's Kingdom is advanced may we rejoice in being used to that end.