Beating the Bounds
Beating the Bounds
When our ancestors worked the fields of an agrarian life, the days before the feast of the Ascension were known as Rogation Days. From the Latin, rogare, meaning to ask, it was a time to ask God's blessing on the soil and newly sprouting crops. The gospel read in cathedral and chapel was appointed from the Gospel of John, where Jesus informs his followers that whatever they ask the Father in his name they will receive. This was a time of sacred procession into the countryside, with banners and crosses and sticks. Led by the parish priest, the people would mark the boundaries of the parish, known as "beating the bounds." They would walk around the boundaries of their parish marking with crosses the landmarks around the borders: trees, rocks, ponds, and fields.
Throughout the Tanakh of ancient scripture, from the Torah to the Prophets to the Proverbs, the concept of the boundary markers was a sacred one. Again and again we read warnings against moving boundary markers and decrying the evil of anyone who does such a thing. The boundary markers were sacred because God himself had apportioned the land to the tribes of Israel. God created the earth and it was his to apportion as he wished. The boundaries that resulted were a sacred covenant the bound God, the land, and the people together.
Psychologically and spiritually, the concept of boundaries are important. They provide us with our sense of self, our understanding of what is "me" as distinct and separate from what is "you". Boundaries give us a healthy perspective of what we are responsible for and what we are not responsible for; a sense of integrity based on what I will or will not permit behind my boundary line. Much of the imagery of spiritual warfare derives from the concept of boundaries as well. In fact war itself could be classified as just or unjust on this basis. A war in which another's boundaries are violated is unjust. A war in which one defends moral or physical boundaries - such as the use of force to stop Hitler, could be seen as a just war. In times of injustice, the boundary lines are moved. The unacceptable becomes acceptable. We allow things to be done in our name, such as torture, that should never be permitted. In the sacred space of prayer and spiritual warfare we seek to re-establish the boundaries again. Through protest and the ballot box we seek to re-establish the boundaries again. With a prophetic voice we cry out to racism, fear, greed, and deception the ancient battle cry - "You shall not pass!" Only after such a battle can we truly have peace. Isaiah writes of a restored Jerusalem:
Sounds of violence will no longer be heard in your land, or the sounds of destruction and devastation within your borders. You will name your walls, ‘Deliverance’, and your gates, ‘Praise.’ (60:18)
George Herbert gave the following reasons to beat the bounds:
1) A blessing of God for the fruits of the field; 2) Justice in the preservation of the bounds; 3) Charity, in living, walking and neighborly accompanying one another, with reconciling of differences at that time, if there be any; 4) Mercy, in relieving the poor by a liberal distribution of largess which at that time is or ought be made.
In our prayers today and in the coming days, let us spiritually "beat the bounds" and re-establish the boundaries of our national community – boundaries based on blessing the earth, justice, charity, and mercy.
Almighty God, Lord of heaven and earth: We humbly pray that your gracious providence may give and preserve to our use the harvests of the land and of the seas, and may prosper all who labor to gather them, that we, who are constantly receiving good things from your hand, may always give you thanks; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. – Traditional Rogation Prayer
Be blessed...
Dei Gratia,
Stephen Ellis, Founder
On A Left Wing and A Prayer
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/On_A_Left_Wing_and_A_Prayer
