First Days of March
Fruits
Lent
Golden Wedding Celebration
Passion
Taxes
Gypsies
Sumo
"Last Supper" Tableau
Frustration
Frustration/Gratitude
First Days of March
04/03/02
This third month of the year, according to the Gregorian calendar, is called March, derived from Mars, the Roman god of war and of vegetation. Mars is also the name of the planet closest to the earth, on which two "rovers" are now sending back information about the topography of that planet, which lacks vegetation. March is the month when daylight hours lengthen in the northern hemisphere and the spring season begins with new life evident in vegetation. Thus, it is not surprising that it was considered the first month of the year in ancient Rome and that in Japan, the following month of April is the beginning of a new school year. The first days of March have special significance in a number of states in the United States of America. On March 1, 1803, Ohio became the 17th state and on that day in 1867, Nebraska was admitted as the 37th state. March the 2nd is a legal holiday in the state of Texas, called Texas Independence Day, for it was on that day in 1836 that the territory of Texas declared its independence from Mexico. This second largest state was annexed by the United States on March 1st, 1845 and later that year was admitted as the 28th state. On March 3rd, 1845, Florida became the last of the Atlantic seaboard states to gain admission to the Union as the 27th state and it was on March 4th in 1791 that Vermont, which had previously been claimed by both New Hampshire and New York was recognized as the 14th state. The first days of March mark new beginnings in a number of states, but for the person with a healthy faith, the mercies of the Lord are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22). (704)
Fruits
04/03/05
The produce of edible plants are often divided into "fruits" and "vegetables," but the line of demarcation between them is sometimes unclear. Is a tomato a fruit or a vegetable? In fact, all plants in the vegetable kingdom bear fruit. When I am at home, it is my custom to eat fruit at both the beginning and the end of each day: at the beginning of breakfast, at the end of supper and/or just before retiring. At the present time, I regularly eat half of a grapefruit at breakfast and I sometimes eat grapes at the conclusion of the noon or evening meal and I have wondered why such a large citrus fruit is called a "grapefruit." According to a dictionary, the reason is because grapefruits grow in clusters like grapes. Grapes grow on a vine, as do melons (which are considered fruit), pumpkins and squashes (which are both considered vegetables). While in Japan, we enjoyed eating Japanese "mikans" and because we used the Japanese word for that fruit even when speaking English, our children did not learn the English word for them until they returned to the United States of America. A Japanese-English dictionary defines "mikan" as "a mandarin orange; a tangerine." I am not acquainted with "mandarin oranges," but tangerines here in Florida have tighter skins and many more seeds than Japanese "mikans." We also enjoy eating oranges, pears, bananas, cherries, peaches, plums and nectarines. And it is my custom to eat an apple every evening before going to bed. In the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 7, verses 15-20, Jesus taught that even as a tree is known by its fruit, so people, whether good or bad, are recognized by their actions. (706)
Lent
04/03/07
The word "lent" is the past tense of the verb "lend". Thus, I may say that I lent a book to my friend yesterday. When spelled with a capital "L", however, this word denotes the pre-Easter season in the Christian Church calendar. Easter is the day Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and Lent lasts for forty weekdays before Easter. The date of Easter, which is determined by a correlation of lunar and solar calendars, falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after the spring equinox. Thus the date varies from year to year. This year, Roman Catholic and Protestant churches will celebrate it on April 11th, so for those churches, Lent began on Wednesday, February 25th. This word is related to the word "lengthen" for days gradually become longer during the pre-Easter season. Lent is observed as a time of self-examination and penitence. In some church traditions, fasting and abstinence is also emphasized. This custom seems to have originated in the 4th century. The forty-day period reminds us of the forty days of Jesus' temptation in the desert before he began his public ministry as recorded in the 4th chapters of the Gospels of both Matthew and Luke. In these accounts, Jesus withstands the temptations of the devil by quoting verses from the Old Testament. One of the benefits of memorizing Bible verses or remembering Biblical truths is that they may strengthen and encourage us in times of testing or temptation. During Lent, Christians seek to quietly and prayerfully prepare themselves for the climactic celebrations of Jesus' death and resurrection. (705)
Golden Wedding Celebration
04/03/10
Gold is a precious metal and something considered especially valuable may be called "golden. The 50th anniversary of a wedding is commonly called the "golden wedding." Recently, in this retirement community, a special celebration was held to honor those residents who have been married for 50 years or more. Those who celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this year were given special recognition, but those who had been married 55 years, 60 years, 65 years and 70 years were also honored. One couple here was married 70 years ago, in 1934. My wife and I are in the group that has been married for 55 years, but couples who have been married for 50 years or more were all listed in the program and we were amazed to see how many there are. In our community with its approximately 500 residents, there are 106 couples who have celebrated their golden wedding anniversaries, which is extraordinary at the present time when so many marriages do not last so long. At the celebration in the church, the women walked down the aisle as the organ played and met their mates at the front of the sanctuary, after which the couples renewed their vows. Music included a solo by one of the celebrants and a violin quartet by the grandchildren of another celebrant. Following the celebration in the church, a reception was held in another meeting place, where refreshments were served and pictures were taken. Then, a program which featured a choir of boys and girls from a nearby private middle school was held in another meeting place. It was a very busy, meaningful time for all who attended. (709)
Passion
04/03/16
When used as a common noun, "passion" denotes a powerful emotion, such as love, joy, hatred or anger. It may also denote boundless enthusiasm or a strong sexual desire. But when used as a proper noun, beginning with a capital P, it signifies the sufferings of Christ in the period following the Last Supper and including the Crucifixion. In the Christian Church calendar, "Passion Sunday" is the second Sunday before Easter, the Sunday before Palm Sunday. "Passion Week" is the week after Passion Sunday and "Passiontide" is the fortnight between Passion Sunday and Easter. Passion Plays are dramatic representations of the Passion of Christ and some churches present Passion Plays every year during this Lenten season. Such dramas were common in 14th century France, but the most famous Passion Play at the present time is the one that has been presented in the small German town of Oberammergau every ten years since 1634. This is to keep a vow made by the inhabitants of that community following a disastrous plague. Now, the main source of income for that town, which is also famous for its woodcarvings, comes from the tourists. A motion picture entitled "The Passion of the Christ," has recently become the cause of much discussion and controversy. It emphasizes the physical suffering Jesus endured before his tragic death. Although the Gospel narratives indicate that both Jews and Romans were involved in that cruelty, the New Testament makes clear that his sacrificial death on the cross was for the salvation of all sinners who trust in him (I Peter 2:21-25). (710)
Taxes
04/03/19
A "tack," spelled t-a-c-k, is a short, light nail with a sharp point and a flat head. Tacks are used to pin sheets of paper to a board. On the bulletin board in this retirement community, there is a notice tacked to the board related to a different kind of "tax," spelled t-a-x. This kind of tax is money paid to support a government. In the United States of America, there are a number of different kinds of taxes which residents are required to pay. Sales taxes are added to the price of certain items. Since some taxes may be determined by state governments, these taxes vary depending on the state, but federal taxes are the same throughout the country. The date for filing federal income tax returns for the past year is April 15th, so now many residents are involved in assembling the required documents along with the tax forms to be submitted by that date. Because some forms are very complicated and require careful attention, a tax consultant may be employed to assist in this work. It has been said that "the art of taxation consists in so plucking the goose as to obtain the largest possible amount of feathers with the smallest possible amount of hissing." President Franklin Roosevelt called taxes "the dues that we pay for the privileges of membership in an organized society." Tax collectors in Jesus' day were despised and scorned because they collected taxes for a foreign government, but Jesus called one to be his disciple. When criticized for his association with such people, he made clear that his mission was to manifest God's love especially to those who were despised by others. (Matthew 9:9-13). (707)
Gypsies
04/03/22
A "tabloid" is a small-sized newspaper that presents sensational news. Recently, some tabloids in Britain have been warning that there will be an influx of Gypsies after Slovakia joins the European Union, for then its citizens will be able to freely cross the borders of other countries in that Union. Although the warning does not seem to be accurate, it focuses attention on the Gypsies: who are they and why are they feared? The word "Gypsy" is derived from "Egyptian," for it was thought that this nomadic people came from a so-called Little Egypt, but they probably came originally from northeast India, migrated into Persia, from which they dispersed into Europe and North America. They are now found on every continent, but they are particularly prominent in Spain and the Balkans. Gypsies have a unique, Indo-Iranian language, called Romany, and particular folkways. Dark-complexioned, short and lightly built, they usually travel in caravans and make their living as metalworkers, singers, dancers, musicians, horse dealers and auto mechanics. Gypsy women are also famous as fortunetellers. In the course of their wanderings, they have sometimes mixed with their non gypsy neighbors and have occasionally settled down, but they have tenaciously held to their identity and customs. Their bands are ruled by elders, but they often accept the religion of their country of residence. Most Gypsies are Roman Catholic or Eastern Orthodox Christians. Various comparisons can be made between the Gypsies and those faithful followers of God described in the New Testament book of Hebrews, chapter 11, verses 13-15.
Sumo
04/03/23
Although Western sports such as baseball and soccer have also become popular in Japan, sumo, which is peculiar to Japan, is considered the national sport. The Japanese word for "sumo" is composed of two Chinese characters which literally mean "strike each other." In my American English dictionary, "sumo" is defined as "Japanese wrestling in which a fighter loses if forced from the ring or if any part of his body except the soles of his feet touches the ground." In ancient times, sumo was considered a sacred event to foretell an abundant harvest or to predict the will of the gods. The oldest bout of sumo recorded in history was in the year 642 and in the ninth century it was adopted as a court ritual. At the present time, six times a year sumo tournaments are held, lasting 15 days, before packed audiences and on live nationwide television. Sumo wrestlers have huge bodies, which require a certain kind of diet to maintain. Some of them may weigh up to 150 kilograms, or 350 pounds. Not only the diet, but the daily activities of sumo wrestlers are generally determined by the "stable masters" of the particular "stables" in which they reside. Before the actual wrestling bouts take place, various ceremonial customs are followed, such as clapping the hands, stomping the feet, throwing salt and staring at one's opponent. In fact, the ceremony, which requires three or four minutes, lasts longer than the wrestling itself, which rarely exceeds one minute. In our daily lives, we sometimes must wrestle with problems that are difficult to solve and in the Old Testament, there is an interesting story about Jacob wrestling with God in Genesis 32:22-32. (711)
"Last Supper" Tableau
04/03/26
Five hundred years ago, in the Italian city of Milan, a mural was painted on the wall of a room in a convent. Because it was painted with water colors on wet plaster, it may be called a "fresco." This painting by Leonardo da Vinci, the famous Italian painter, sculptor, architect, musician, engineer and scientist, depicts Jesus' last supper with his disciples. Although allied bombing in August 1943 reduced the convent to ruins, this mural was practically undamaged and it is this painting that many people envision when they think of Jesus' Last Supper. As one of the special events in this retirement community during Holy Week, the week before Easter, a tableau of the "Last Supper" will be presented in the church sanctuary. Twelve residents with beards have been asked to participate in this dramatic presentation. Usually, a "tableau vivant" is "a scene presented on stage by costumed actors who remain silent and motionless as in a picture." In this case, however, each of the twelve disciples has a few words to say to introduce themselves. I have been asked to take the part of Matthew, who is the fourth disciple, standing on Jesus' left side in da Vinci's painting. In order to manifest a more accurate representation of that disciple, I have now grown a full beard instead of only a goatee. One account of that "Last Supper" is found in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 22, verses 7 and following. There, Jesus told his disciples to remember his sacrifice for them and all sinners, using bread and wine to represent his body and blood. This ritual is now performed in Christian churches throughout the world. (708)
Frustration
04/03/28
Since I add a new message onto this webpage three times a week, I sometimes find it difficult to decide on a new or different theme for each message. A newspaper or magazine article regarding current or historical events or something that occurred in this retirement community may suggest a theme. And at times, personal experiences provide a topic. That is the explanation for today's message on "frustration," which is "the condition of being frustrated." "Frustrate," means "to cause feelings of discouragement or bafflement." During the past couple of weeks, "frustration" is the word I have often used to describe my feelings. There are a number of reasons why I have felt frustrated, discouraged or baffled. The main reason is related to the new laptop computer I purchased recently because my old computer was showing signs of aging. Although the new computer is much more efficient and suitable in many ways, one must understand how to use it and a person my age who lacks electronic aptitude finds it difficult to adjust. I have repeatedly called on a commercial consultant as well as a very helpful neighbor to assist me and give instructions, but it has been a very frustrating experience that resulted in some messages not being entered on time. Then, our elderly neighbor, who lives by himself, became ill and we spent time trying to assist him. Now, he is hospitalized and is not expected to live much longer. Then when our son, his wife and son arrived from Japan and we went to the airport to meet them, somehow we missed seeing them until we found them waiting for us at the luggage retrieval area. We are now with our family in the city of Miami, but we have had other frustrating experiences on the way here also. It has been a frustrating week indeed. (714)
Frustration/Gratitude
04/03/31
Continuing the theme and narrative of the previous message, the day after our son, daughter-in-law and grandson arrived from Japan, we drove 270 kilometers to St. Petersburg, where our granddaughter is living while attending a public high school there. We used the car of a friend, which can carry six passengers. We turned off the main highway at the wrong exit and had difficulty getting back on to that inter-state highway. That night, we stayed in the luxurious home of the owner and manager of the sushi shop where our granddaughter works, but I could not add my new message to the "Timely Words" homepage because only cell phones were used there and there were no regular telephone outlets for my laptop computer. I had to wait until the following morning to find a usable outlet in a hotel lobby. We also had difficulty finding the park where our son and family wanted to go swimming. The next day, we drove about 400 kilometers to Miami to visit two colleges our granddaughter wanted to see. The following day, we drove back to St. Petersburg and then back to our retirement community, where we found that our neighbor had died the previous day. Retiring after midnight, we arose about 4:00 a.m. to get our son and family to the airport for an early morning flight to California, where he was scheduled to make a presentation at an English teachers conference. Despite the many frustrations of the last couple of weeks, we have much to be grateful for. We traveled far and fast and accomplished our goals without an accident. Our neighbor died without prolonged suffering and we had an enjoyable time with our family. (715)