April Fool’s Day (81/04/01/)
April Fool’s Day (81/04/01/)
Today, the 1st day of April, is known as “April Fools’ Day” or “All Fools’ Day.” Throughout the Western world it has been the custom for centuries to play tricks on one’s neighbors or associates on this day. There are many different explanations of the reason for this practice, but its origin is still not certain. Probably the most widely accepted explanation dates its beginning in France in the year 1564. That was the year that the French adopted the Gregorian calendar. Before that change, the French used to pay formal visits to their friends on April 1st, but following the calendar change, these visits took place on January 1st. However, mock visits continued to be paid on April 1st, particularly on those who might forget the new system and who were called “April fish” referring to a young fish that is easily caught. The Bible speaks of a fool as one who says there is no God (Psalm 14:1) and also as one who does not seek advice from others but only expresses his own opinions (Proverbs 18:2).
April (81/04/02)
April is the name of the 4th month of the year. It is also a girl or woman’s name. However, there are different theories regarding is etymology. (“Etymology” is the study of the origin of words and their original meanings.) Some trace its roots to a Latin word meaning “lather,” “later,” “second,” and think it originally referred to the 2nd month of the year. Others find in it a relationship to the Greek goddess, Aphrodite, the goddess of love. But many others relate it to the Latin word meaning “to open” and think that it refers to the new opening up of nature in the spring of the year. Not only the buds of flowers but the bills of budding birds open up at this time of year. April refers to that which is fresh and full of hope. Shakespeare has written of “April, dressed in all his trim hath put a spirit of youth in everything. And Edna St. Vincent Millay, an American poet, wrote that “April comes like an idiot, babbling and strewing flowers,” while the English poet, T. S. Eliot has called April “the cruellest month, breeding lilacs out of the dead land, mixing memory and desire, stirring dull roots with spring rain.” To the person with faith, however, spring is a time of new or renewed life, which for the Christian is celebrated in the resurrection of Christ from the dead.
Japan’s Emperor (81/04/03)
On this day, April the 3rd, a special ceremony will be held in the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. It is in honor of Jinmu Tenno, the legendary first emperor of the Japanese people whose death is commemorated today. The ancient Japanese records tell the story of this emperor, originally known as Kamu Yamato Iwase Biko, leading an expedition from the island of Kyushu to the Yamato area of present-day Nara Prefecture, where he was enthroned at Kashiwabara, where there is a famous shrine which commemorates that event. Since that time, according to the Japanese records, 124 emperors have reigned over this nation, making it the longest reigning dynasty in the world today. Although during the war, the emperor was considered a living kami, a kind of divinity, under the present Japanese Constitution, introduced after the war, the emperor is referred to as the symbol of the Japanese people and has a minimum of legal political power. However, there are a number of indications of increasing pressure on the part of conservative forces to restore the emperor to his past exalted status. Because of the wartime experience of Christians who refused to recognize the emperor’s divinity, such movements are viewed with deep concern.
A batting center called Koshien (81/04/04)
A new batting center has recently opened in the city of Takahama, near the church that I pastor. It is called koshien. Of course, the name was chosen because of the famous baseball stadium with that name in Nishinomiya, where the all-Japan high school baseball tournaments are held. But where did that name come from? Of course, en means garden or park, but the term koshi comes from a combination of classical Chinese zodiacal symbols. In old China there were two systems of symbols referring to time and directions. One system contains 10 symbols called kan or stems. The other has 12 symbols called shi or branches. Years are identified with one of these branch symbols. Thus, this year is the year of the bird or cock. These two systems of symbols are combined into 60 different combinations known as ken-shi or eto and koshi is the first in this series of 60. Thus the koshien may be considered Garden Park number one and like the first Garden of Eden, it is also a place of soaring expectations, severe trials and sad falls.
Seimei (81/04/05)
Today, April 5th, is the beginning of a new season according to the traditional Japanese calendar. It begins 15 days after Shunbun no Hi, the vernal equinox, and is called Seimei, which literally means pure and bright. As a season name, it may refer to the new purity and brightness of the spring season with its melting snow in the north and the verdure and flowers of the south. As we begin this seimei season, the season of purity and brightness, it is a good time to reflect upon our own minds and lives and ask ourselves how pure and bright they are. In Psalm 24, in answer to the question, “Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place?“ It is written: “He who has clean hands and a pure heart,“ which refers both to our thoughts and our actions. The Christian is called to be pure and bright in thought, word and deed. However the Bible teaches not only that we should be bright, but that we should also be right in God’s sight. It is through faith in the Savior, Jesus Christ, that a person is made right with God. Being made right with God is the basis of both purity and brightness for the Christian.
The Mormons (81/04/06)
It was 151 years ago today, on April 6, 1830, that the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-Day Saints was founded. The members of this church are commonly called “Mormons.“ The church was founded in Fayette, New York by Joseph Smith, who, while still a youth, was reported to have visions and when he was 21 years old, it is said that the hiding place of sacred writings inscribed on golden tablets was revealed to him. He is said to have found these tablets, written in a peculiar language called reformed Egyptian, and translated them. This Book of Mormon is primarily a record ascribed to the prophet, Mormon, recording the early history of peoples in America. According to this account, North American Indians are the descendants of the Biblical tribe of Manasseh, part of which emigrated to the North American continent around 600 B.C. The Mormons have had a colorful history in the U. S. and are now very active in Japan as well. However, since some of their doctrines and practices are based on revelations and scriptures beside those in the Bible, which are not in harmony with orthodox Christian thought, they are considered outside the main stream of Christianity. It was only after the practice of polygamy was publicly disavowed in 1890 that the Mormon state of Utah was admitted to the U. S. A.
World Health Day (81/04/07)
Today, April 7, is called World Health Day. It is a day for promoting better health throughout the world. The English word “health“ comes from an Anglo-Saxon base which is also found in such words as “hale,“ “heal“ and “whole.“ “Health“ refers to both physical and mental well-being, and freedom from pain, defect or disease. In the Mideast, the common word for greeting—among both Jews and Arabs—is “Shalom,” usually translated “Peace.” It was this word that the resurrected Jesus used in “greeting his disciples” (John 20:19, 21,26). In Hebrew, however, this word has a broader meaning, including the concept of wholeness, completeness and all-round health and prosperity. In the Bible, true peace is found through faith in God, who is a God of peace. The mission of Jesus Christ was to bring about peace among people and between people and God. The word of the prophet in Isaiah, chapter 26, verse 3 is: “You, Lord give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm and put their trust in you.“ Genuine health of mind and body requires a healthy faith.
Buddha’s birth (81/04/08)
Today, April 8, is called hanamatsuri,or “flower festival” in Japan. On this day, many Buddhist temples are decorated with flowers to celebrate the birthday of Gautama, the Buddha. A small image of the Buddha is placed in a special basin and worshippers pour sweet tea over the image, using a bamboo dipper. The origin of this custom is found in the traditional story of the Buddha’s birth. It is said that when the Buddha was born of Queen Maha-Maya in a beautiful grove of trees and flowers, he was unsmeared by any impurity from his mother’s womb. Nevertheless, for the sake of honoring the future Buddha and his mother, there came two streams of water from the sky, refreshing the Buddha and his mother. Therefore, on this day, in celebration of his birth, sweet tea is poured upon his image. The story of the Buddha’s birth is quite different from that of Jesus, who was born of a lowly woman in a stable and laid in a manger. The Buddha is said to have taken 7 steps immediately after being born and shouting, “The chief am I in all the world.” But the first words of Jesus, quoted in the Bible, are when he was 12 years old and said to his parents after they found him in the temple, “Didn’t you know that I would be in my Father’s house?” (Luke 3:49)
The unlucky number Nine (81/04/09)
Today is Thursday, the 9th day of April. Although the uneven numbers such as 3,5,7 and 9 are considered to be lucky in traditional Chinese thought, the number 9 in Japan is not so popular because it may be pronounced ku, which may also mean “pain” or “suffering.” Some people in Japanese hospitals would prefer not to be put in a room that has a 9 in its number. The first telephone number that my wife and I had in Japan was a number that most Japanese would have refused to accept. (Maybe that was the reason we got it.) The number was 9242, which in Japanese may be pronounced kyu-ni shi-ni, which means “sudden death.” There are a number of old stories in Japan that have the number 99 or 999 in them to indicate something incomplete or less than perfect. In the New Testament Gospel of Luke, chapter 17, there is the story of Jesus healing ten men, but only one of them returned to give him thanks. Jesus then asked, “Where are the other nine?” Most of us are like those nine men who received God’s blessing but did not express their gratitude. Today, let us be thankful for God’s blessings, for we have so much more than many people throughout the world.
Fujin no Hi (81/04/10)
According to the almanac, today, April 10th, is called Fujin no Hi, which is “Women’s Day” or “Ladies’ Day.” Whether fujin should be translated as “woman” or “lady” depends upon the context and the particular nuance desired. In American English, “woman” is the general term for an adult, female human being, while “lady” is somewhat politer with the implication of having good breeding or some social position. (“Gentleman” is the opposite of “lady.”) The German philosopher, Friedrich Nietzsche, referred to women as “God’s second mistake.” In Japanese, there are two different ways to write fujin. In one case, the character for fu is a simple 4-stroke character for an adult woman, a wife. The other character for fu is a more complicated 11-stroke character including a decoration, possibly implying a more beautiful woman. According to the Bible story in Genesis, chapter 2, after God had created man, he stated “It is not good for man to live alone. I will make a suitable companion to help him.” He then formed a woman out of the rib of the man, illustrating that men and women belong to each other and should help one another.
The Metric system (81/04/11)
Today, April 11th, is the day commemorating the promulgation of the metric system. The metric system is a system of measurements and weights introduced in France in the latter part of the 18th century. The basic unit is the meter, which was supposed to equal one-ten millionth of the distance measured on the earth’s surface from the equator to the pole. Since the original measurement was slightly incorrect, a meter is now defined as the length of a certain platinum bar kept in Paris. Japan first decided to adopt the metric system in 1921, but it was not finally and completely put into effect until 1996. This system is commonly used throughout the world except for Great Britain and the United States of America where it has found the greatest hindrances to general acceptance. The word “meter” comes from the Greek word for “measure” and it is the word found in Ephesians 4:13, where the Christian is told that Christ is the standard by which he is to measure himself. It is not a platinum bar in Paris but the perfection of Jesus Christ which is the basic standard for the Christian.
Palm Sunday (81/04/12)
In the Christian Church calendar, today is known as Palm Sunday. It is the Sunday before Easter and the first day of Holy Week. It is the day to commemorate the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem five days before the Jewish Feast of the Passover when he was crucified. When Jesus entered Jerusalem with his disciples, a large crowd went out o meet him. They welcomed him into the city by waving branches from palm trees and shouting words of praise to him. It is for this reason that today is called Palm Sunday. The only other place in the New Testament where palm branches are mentioned is in the book of Revelation. In a vision recorded there, an enormous crowd from all the nations of the world stood in front of God’s throne, wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands. This crowd also shouted praises to God. In Western thought, a palm branch is considered a symbol of victory, triumph or joy. Jesus Christ entered the city in triumph and although he was later crucified, he was victorious over death in his resurrection 7 days later in his resurrection on Easter Sunday.
Thomas Jefferson (81/04/13)
In the United States, public holidays are determined by the individual states rather than by the national government. Almost all the states have a legal holiday to celebrate the birthday of George Washington, the first president. About half of the states commemorate the birthday of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president. However, it is only the state of Alabama which has a legal holiday today to commemorate the birthday of the States’ 3rd president, Thomas Jefferson, who was born on April 13, 1743. Jefferson was a more effective writer than speaker and the Declaration of Independence was basically written by him. It is in this document that we find the famous words that “all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” These words, written over 200 years ago continue to be an ideal that has not yet been fully achieved in any country in the world.
Motion pictures (81/04/14)
Today is April 14th. It was on this day in 1894 in New York City that the first public showing of Thomas Edison’s kinetoscope was held. “Kinetoscope” comes from two Greek words referring to motion and seeing. The term “scope” is also found in such words as “telescope” and “microscope.” The kinetoscope, however was the first motion picture machine which Edison had invented 7 years before this first public showing. Nowadays, the theater in which motion pictures are shown is often called a “cinema,” which is a shortened form of “cinematograph,” the British word for a motion picture projector. The first public showing of motion pictures in Japan took place in 1897, the 30th year of the Meiji era and was called jidogenga, “self-moving-illusion-picture.” Actually, the sense of motion in the pictures is an illusion because the film is made up of a series of still pictures. This is just one example of our imagination helping us to “see” things which do not really happen. Jesus taught that we should not judge by appearances, but to judge with right judgment (John 7:24).
Visit to the Philippines (81/04/15)
I hope you have been enjoying the gentle voice of my loving wife over the past week. Late last night, I returned from a 2-week visit to the Philippines on church business. Since the flight from Manila was a little late, I missed the plane to Nagoya and, because of an earthquake, shinkansen trains were delayed and off schedule, so my arrival was very late indeed. The weather in the Philippines is quite different from that in Japan. However, it seems that weather forecasters there have an easy job, for throughout my stay, everyday was the same: sunny and hot. I saw no cherry blossoms there, but I always enjoy eating the various kinds of fresh fruits available, such as mangos, bananas and pineapples, as well as fresh coconuts. The Philippines have two main seasons a year—a dry season and a wet season, but it is always hot. For me, it is much more enjoyable to have 4 seasons, as in Japan and other temperate zone countries around the world. However, despite seasonal variations and climatic differences, it is good to know that the same God rules over all.
Maundy Thursday (81/04/16)
The Thursday before Easter, known as Maundy Thursday, commemorates Jesus’ washing the feet of his disciples on the occasion of his last supper with them. This incident is recorded in the Gospel according to John, chapter 13. Although it was the duty of a servant to wash the feet of guests before eating, Jesus demonstrated his spirit of humility when he performed this lowly service for his disciples. The lord took the place of the servant. He, then, explained to the disciples that he had given an example for them to follow. The word “maundy” comes from the Latin word meaning “command” which was the first word in the liturgical song later sung during the foot-washing ceremony. Jesus not only gave his disciples commands (to love one another, to wash one another’s feet, etc.) he gave them a clear example to follow. On Maundy Thursday, it is good for us to remember both Jesus’ words and his example.
Good Friday (81/04/17)
The Friday of Holy Week, the Friday before Easter, is called “Good Friday” and commemorates Jesus’ death on the cross. This day was made a legal holiday by Constantine the Great in the early 4th century and is still so observed in a number of countries and states in Europe and America. In some churches that change their altar cloths to black on this day, it is also called Black Friday. Many churches hold special services on this day, in which the hymns, scripture passages and sermons or homilies related to the meaning of Jesus suffering are chosen and explained. Each of the four Gospels has its own characteristics. The more we read and/or study the final stories in the Gospels and the beginning of the Acts of the Apostles, the better we can understand the significance of Good Friday. The meaning we give to the word “good” depends on our own faith and experience. One explanation is that the original term was “God’s Friday,” but to those who have deeply considered the Biblical implications of Jesus’ death on the cross, it was truly a “good” Friday. I hope today will be a good Friday for you.
Columbia successfully back on earth (81/04/18)
People in the U. S. and in many other countries around the world were happy and relieved with the news last Wednesday that the space shuttle “Columbia” made a safe landing in California following a successful flight of 36 orbits around the earth. The word, “shuttle,” comes from an Anglo-Saxon word meaning “shoot” and refers to the instrument used to carry the spool of wool threads back and forth through the wasp threads while weaving. It is also used to refer to a train or bus that makes frequent, regular trips over a short distance. “Columbia” is a poetic name referring to the U. S. Over 32 of the 50 states have cities, towns or counties bearing this name. Of course, it comes from the name of Christopher Columbus, who made a trip to the American continent in 1492. These place names in the U. S. and the space shuttle are spelled differently than the South American country which is pronounced the same. Both Columbus and the two-man crew of the “Columbia” made their historic voyages on the basis of faith in the so-called “laws of nature” and nature’s God.
Easter Sunday (81/04/19)
Today is Easter Sunday, the day commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. “Easter” which contains the word “east” in it, comes from the name of a pagan goddess of the dawn. It originally referred to a pagan spring festival but was appropriated by the Christian Church to refer to its spring celebration of Jesus’ resurrection. Since Easter Sunday is determined according to the lunar calendar to keep it in proximity with the Jewish Feast of the Passover, its date changes from year to year. It is celebrated on the first Sunday following the first full moon following the vernal equinox. The New Testament teaches that Jesus died for the sins of all people but rose from the dead in victory over sin and death. Next Sunday afternoon at 4 o’clock, I will preach at the English worship service of Nagoya Union Church, which meets in the Kinjo Kyokai, located just north of Tokiwa Jogakuin in Tatedaikan cho, Higashi ku. Following that service, I hope to meet with many listeners of these “Daily Word” messages in another room of that church. I would be happy to meet you there. Please come if you can.
Plebiscite in the Philippines (81/04/20)
Two weeks ago today was a special non-work day in the Philippines because, on the following day a national plebiscite was to be held. A plebiscite is an opportunity for voters to express their will on some political issue by means of a direct ballot. To enable voters to return to their hometowns to vote on a constitutional change, a special non-work day was called. Under present conditions in the Philippines, however, the result of the plebiscite was already certain before the vote was taken. Still, the formality was followed. In both political and religious affairs, certain forms are considered to be important. Jesus constantly emphasized that inner substance is of greater importance than external formality. From this viewpoint, how much of our democracy and religiosity is genuine, I wonder. Next Sunday, there will be a meeting for you who listen to these “Daily Word” messages, following the Nagoya Union Church worship service at which I will be preaching in English. The place is Kinjo Kyokai, just north of Tokiwa Jogakuin in Tatedaikan cho, Higashi ku. The time of the worship service is 4:00 p.m. Afterward, we will meet together in another room in the church. I hope to meet you there. Please come if you can.
The Boston Marathon (81/04/21)
Boston is the 20th largest city in the U. S. with a population of over 560,000. It is the capital of the state of Massachusetts, the largest city in New England and one of the most historic American cities, being founded in 1630. It was the site of the Boston Massacre in 1770 and of the Boston Tea Party in 1773. It has also given its name to plants, such as Boston fern and Boston ivy, to a dog called Boston terrier and to a rocking chair known as a Boston rocker. Boston is also the site of the Boston Marathon, a cross-country footrace of 26 miles 385 yards, the distance between Marathon and Athens run by a messenger to report victory over the Persians in 490 B.C. The Boston Marathon has been held every year since 1897 with the exception of 1918, during the 1st World War. The Bible teaches that an athlete who runs in a race cannot win the prize unless he obeys the rules” (II Timothy 2:5) and last year the winner of the women’s marathon was later disqualified for not having run the entire race. On Sunday at 4:00 p.m., I will be preaching in English at the Nagoya Union Church. Following that service, there will be a meeting of listeners to these “Daily Word” messages and I would like to meet you there. The place is at Kinjo Kyokai in Tatedaikan cho, Higashi ku, just north of Tokiwa Jogakuin. Please come if you can.
Parked Cars Unlocked (81/04/22)
Last year, there were 127 cars stolen in the area under the jurisdiction of the Naka Police Station in Nagoya. Some of those cars were then used in other crimes. 80% of the cars that were stolen had been left with the key in the ignition switch. Last week, the 15 policemen made the rounds of downtown Nagoya and found that approximately one-quarter of the parked cars (about 100 of the 400 examined) were unlocked, with the key in the ignition switch. They are calling drivers to lock their cars and take their keys with them when they park their cars. It is good to trust other people, but we should also use common sense. As the English proverb says, “It is too late to lock the door of the stable after the steed is stolen.” I would like to meet and talk with the listeners to these “Daily Word” messages, to hear your comments, questions, criticism and suggestions. So next Sunday afternoon following the 4 o’clock Worship Service of Nagoya Union Church at which I will be preaching, there will be a meeting of listeners. I hope you can make it.
Beauticians (81/04/23)
Last Tuesday, the 33rd prefectural beauticians contest was held at the Nagoya Kowan Kaikan in Minato Ku. 82 beauticians representing 42 districts in Aichi Prefecture took part in displaying their ability in beautiful hair dressing The winners of this competition will now go to the district contest to be held next month in Mie Prefecture, from which the winner will advance to the national contest [in Toyama] in October. A beautician is a person who does hair dressing in a beauty parlor
which has been described as a place where men are “rare” and women are “well done.” The Bible teaches that it is not fancy hair styles but good deeds that should characterize a person with a healthy faith. Whether or not your hair style is beautiful, however, you are invited to a meeting of “Daily Word” listeners this coming Sunday at Kinjo Kyokai, Tatedaikancho, Higashi Ku, just north of Tokiwa Jogakuin. I will be preaching in English at the Nagoya Union Church worship service there at 4:00 o’clock and our meeting of “Daily Word” listeners will be held after that. Please join us there for a getting acquainted time.
Arbor Day (81/04/24)
This last Friday in April, known as Arbor Day, is celebrated in many states as well as parts of Canada and England. In the state of Nebraska, where it was first observed in 1872, April 22 is a state holiday. Dr. Julius Sterling Morton, one of the earliest conservationists, and the originator of Arbor Day, stated, “Other holidays repose upon the past; Arbor Day proposes for the future.” “Arbor” comes from the Latin word for “tree,” and the emphasis of the Arbor Day celebrations is on the beauty and value of trees. Some schools have tree planting sessions and focus attention on the trees as they develop. Some trees bear fruit; others provide lumber. In the first psalm in the Old Testament book of Psalms, a man is pictured as “a tree planted by streams of water.” Reading this verse reminded me of a humorous statement I once quoted to my high school social science teacher during class: “Don’t worry if your job is small and your rewards are few. Remember that the mighty oak was once a nut like you.”
Confedarate Memorial Day (81/04/25)
Following the election of Abraham Lincoln as president of the United States of America in 1860, 11 of the southern states seceded from the Union. They organized a confederacy known as the Confederate States of America and drew up a constitution which recognized slavery and had stronger states’ rights provisions than the Constitution of the United States of America. The term “confederacy” refers to a league or alliance of states or nations or groups. The result is a federation rather than a union of the individual entities. Today is a legal holiday in the state of Florida, called Confederate Memorial Day. Other southern states commemorate the servicemen of the Confederacy on other days, but such memorial days indicates the continued strength of a respected tradition related to a “lost cause” among the former Confederate States. A Portuguese proverb states “What was hard to bear is sweet to remember.” I hope to see you along with other listeners to these “Daily Word” messages tomorrow afternoon following the Nagoya Union Church worship service which is held at Kinjo Kyokai, just north of Tokiwa Jogakuin in Tatedaikan-cho Higashi-ku, at which I will be preaching. I want to get acquainted with you and other listeners and to hear your comments and suggestions.
St. Theressa (81/04/26)
Mother Teresa, the Roman Catholic nun, whose ministry among the poor, the sick and orphaned in Calcutta, and who received the 1979 Nobel Peace prize is now visiting Japan. Mother Teresa was born in Yugoslavia of Albanian parents in 1910 and went to India when she was 20, so she has been serving there for over half a century. Her namesake, St. Theressa, was a French lady who entered a convent in 1886, at 15 years of age and died of tuberculosis 9 years later. Despite her early death, she has become one of the most widely loved saints of the Roman Catholic Church because of her spiritual autobiography which has been widely read. The shining goodness and sweet holiness of this simple nun in an obscure convent, who became known as the Little Flower of Jesus has proved an inspiration to countless women, including Mother Teresa. For the Christian, Jesus was the great example of humble service, but we should also be thankful for the exemplary lives of his followers whose faith is seen in their deeds. This is “Daily Word,” Post Office Box 30. Moriyama ku, Nagoya. If you don’t get to the “Daily Word” listeners gathering this afternoon at Nagoya Union Church, please write me a card or letter to let me know you are still listening anyway.
Fast Day (81/04/27)
New Hampshire was a British colony that became one of the original 13 states of the United States of America. It is one of 4 states whose name begins with the word “New.” It was named after the English county of Hampshire. In England, “shire” is a suffix which refers to a county. Today is a legal holiday in the state of New Hampshire, called a Fast Day. This is an observance which dates back to colonial days when governors appointed certain days for “fasting and prayer.” The word “fast” has quite opposite implications depending on its context. To say that “a horse is fast” may mean that it is rapid in movement or firmly tied so it cannot move. In regard to human behavior, “fast” may refer to a wild life style in which many kinds of food are eaten or a very disciplined life when food is refused. In Jesus’ day also, fasting was considered an indication of sincere religious motivation, but Jesus emphasized an inner, spiritual vitality is more important than following ritualistic practices that may be simply following the formal tradition rather than manifesting a living faith.
A surprise (81/04/28)
The well-known Russian poet and novelist, Boris Posternak has written that ”Surprise is the greatest gift that life can grant us.” I was surprised a couple of days ago by a telephone call from a couple of old friends from my hometown in the U.S.
(In that sentence, “old” is meant to be the opposite of “new”, not the opposite of “young.”) Yesterday, I met these friends at
the Nagoya Castle Hotel. I think their names are significant for this period in Japanese history. The wife’s name is Irene, which comes from the Greek word for “peace.” In Greek mythology, Eirene was the goddess of peace. This word is often found in the New Testament greetings, translated “Peace.” The husband’s name is Raymond, which comes from Old Norman French and means “wise protection.” The Japanese Constitution is based on the ideal of peace without military forces. Yet, for true peace, some kind of wise protection is needed. The Old Testament prophet. Isaiah, wrote (in chapter 26, verse 3) “You , Lord, give perfect peace to those who put their trust in you. Trust in the Lord forever, he will always protect us.”
April (81/04/02)
Japan’s Emperor (81/04/03)
A batting center called Koshien (81/04/04)
Seimei (81/04/05)
The Mormons (81/04/06)
World Health Day (81/04/07)
Buddha’s birth (81/04/08)
The unlucky number Nine (81/04/09)
Fujin no Hi (81/04/10)
The Metric system (81/04/11)
Palm Sunday (81/04/12)
Thomas Jefferson (81/04/13)
Motion pictures (81/04/14)
Visit to the Philippines (81/04/15)
Maundy Thursday (81/04/16)
Good Friday (81/04/17)
Columbia successfully back on earth (81/04/18)
Easter Sunday (81/04/19)
Plebiscite in the Philippines (81/04/20)
The Boston Marathon (81/04/21)
Parked Cars Unlocked (81/04/22)
Beauticians (81/04/23)
Arbor Day (81/04/24)
Confedarate Memorial Day (81/04/25)
St. Theressa (81/04/26)
Fast Day (81/04/27)
A surprise (81/04/28)
The Emperor’s birthday (81/04/29)
The origin of “Golden Week” (81/04/30)