O Jesus, crowned with all renown

~ Edward W. Benson (1829-1896)

O Jesus, crowned with all renown,
Since Thou the earth hast trod,
Thou reignest, and by Thee come down
Henceforth the gifts of God.
Thine is the health and Thine the wealth
That in our halls abound,
And Thine the beauty and the joy
With which the years are crowned.

Lord, in their change, let frost and heat,
And winds and dews be giv’n;
All fostering power, all influence sweet,
Breathe from the bounteous Heav’n.
Attemper fair with gentle air
The sunshine and the rain,
That kindly earth with timely birth
May yield her fruits again.

That we may feed the poor aright,
And gathering round Thy throne,
Here, in the holy angels’ sight,
Repay Thee of Thine own:
That we may praise Thee all our days,
And with the Father’s Name,
And with the Holy Spirit’s gifts,
The Savior’s love proclaim.

Sung to Kingsfold, traditional Eng­lish mel­o­dy, ar­ranged by Ralph Vaugh­an Will­iams (1872-1958)

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Today is Rogation Sunday, which is the Sunday preceding the three rogation days — the Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday before Ascension Day. “Rogation” comes from the Latin rogare and means “to ask.” The traditional Scripture readings for this Sunday include John 16, where Jesus says to his followers, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you,” and James one where we are told that “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction…”

On this day, in the midst of rejoicing with our Saviour’s triumph over sin and death, remembering his Ascension and rule over the earth, and looking forward to our own resurrection and ascension, we ask him to bless the land and crops, the people and the work of their hands as we fulfill the Gospel, living for his glory.