5.02.2005
rogation
Yesterday was Rogation Sunday, a day in the Anglican Church traditional set aside to ask for blessing upon the crops being planted in this spring season. Yesterday's homily in Queen's was upon the idea of prayer, and the practice of it. It was an amazing sermon, and it gave me a lot to think about. Without going into too much detail, the basic idea was very plain: prayer, as an effective conversation with God can only be unertaken by someone who has taken the time to know God well. Otherwise, it is indeed a one-sided conversation held between one's self and a mere fantasy of God, and that can't do anything for you.
On a more terrestrial note, yesterday was also May Day. I remember our May Day celebrations at BB&N when I was in the lower school: it was a spring festival with singing, dancing, a maypole... It was an innocent and joyous celebration of spring. On May Day here in Oxford, the choir of Magdalen College climb to the top of the college bell tower to sing a few songs to the assembled crowd. This has become such a tradition that the crowd is now massive, but the spectacle is amazing. I wish I'd brought my camera... There's Morris dancing around as well, and a few pantomime performances. It's really something else.
On a more terrestrial note, yesterday was also May Day. I remember our May Day celebrations at BB&N when I was in the lower school: it was a spring festival with singing, dancing, a maypole... It was an innocent and joyous celebration of spring. On May Day here in Oxford, the choir of Magdalen College climb to the top of the college bell tower to sing a few songs to the assembled crowd. This has become such a tradition that the crowd is now massive, but the spectacle is amazing. I wish I'd brought my camera... There's Morris dancing around as well, and a few pantomime performances. It's really something else.
