麻豆社

Good Morning.

What is Rogation Sunday? The answer to the question would probably mean using a serious lifeline for the vast majority of contestants on the quiz show Who Wants to be a Millionaire?

It doesn鈥檛, perhaps, have the prominence it once had in the British Christian Calendar. But in fact Rogation Sunday, which falls tomorrow, dates back to a Roman procession during which the gods were asked to bless the crops. Its Christian adaptation was a slow process: it was the 8th century before Pope Leo III fixed it in the church calendar.

Nowadays, Rogation is the opposite book-end to Harvest Festival. It鈥檚 a Sunday set aside for the faithful to pray for a good harvest; that the crops and farmers will be blessed in the weeks ahead.

When I was a teenager we went on a Rogation Sunday procession with our church in Yorkshire. Whatever the weather, the fully robed clergy and choir would lead the way to the furthest boundary of the parish. Prayers were said for everyone who lived there. In medieval times miracles were said to happen on the way [though I must admit to not being aware of any as we approached the fair ground in West Hull]! Still, we prayed for everyone as we went, identifying ourselves closely with our own neighbourhood and outside spaces.

In light of recent events, Rogation Sunday this year takes on for me a new meaning altogether. Over the past few weeks on this programme we have heard of difficulties facing farmers having enough people to harvest fruit and vegetable crops and of dairy and cattle farmers dealing with new supply chains which have changed on an almost daily basis. Remembering those farming the land will have added impetus.

But it hasn鈥檛 all been bad news. Farmer Michael Shannon ,writing in this week鈥檚 Farmer鈥檚 Weekly, hopes that 鈥渕aybe people will continue to shop locally and maybe people will realise that they need to value our great British food producers鈥�. Meanwhile Princeton University published a study this week emphasising how gardening at home brings happiness and emotional well-being similar to biking or walking. What鈥檚 more this applies across all races, genders and income groups who almost equally said they benefit from their connection with the land.

Tomorrow鈥檚 Rogation Sunday is set aside to think about how we view the earth. Not to take it for granted. To pray for the poor and hungry as we go. To have eyes open to the beauty of creation. To learn lessons from the past. And yes, to look confidently to the future.

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