April
Baseball and Boxing
(Church) Year/Holy Week
Latin
Resurrection
Civil War
Recent Memorial Service
Fish
Patients/Patience
Blossom Festivals
Monotheistic Religions
Metric System in the U.S.A.

April
04/04/02

This name of the fourth month of the year in the Gregorian calendar is derived from Aprilis, the ancient Roman name of the second month of the year, which began in March, and is related to a Latin verb meaning "to open" for the buds of trees and flowers open during this spring season. April is also used as a feminine name, as are the names of the following months of May and June. April is the month when a new school year begins in Japan and the month when income tax returns are due in the United States of America. In ancient Rome, there were a number of festivals that were celebrated in this month, including the Feast of the Cows, when ancient rites were conducted to ensure the prosperity of crops, and the "Floralia," honoring Flora, the goddess of flowers. Important festivals will be observed this month by both Jews and Christians. The Jewish Passover, which commemorates the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt under the leadership of Moses over 3000 years ago, begins on April 6th. Good Friday, commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus, will be observed in Christian churches on April 9th, followed by the celebration of his resurrection from the dead on Easter Sunday, April 11th. The first Sunday of April is also the day in the U. S. A. when communities that observe "daylight-saving time" set their clocks ahead one hour to provide more daylight at the end of the working day during the late spring, summer and early fall. I pray that this month with its significant traditions and celebrations will be a time of new life and hope for you. (716)

Baseball and Boxing
04/04/05

Most popular daily newspapers have a special section devoted to sports. The kind of sports included in a newspaper varies according to the place and the season. In some areas, there are favorite sports which attract special attention. As noted in a recent message, sumo is considered the national sport of Japan, but I think that baseball would be recognized as the favorite sport. Since a couple of popular, professional baseball players from Japan joined a couple of major league teams in the United States of America, their attainments are carefully followed by many Japanese; the games in which they play are broadcast live and viewed by many fans even after midnight, in the wee hours of the morning. A recent article in the sports section of the daily newspaper delivered to our door reported on the games played in Tokyo by the New York Yankees and their star Japanese player, Hideki Matsui. In Tokyo, he hit home runs while playing against the Yomiuri Giants, the Japanese team in which he had been a star player for ten years, and against another major league American team, bringing great joy to Japanese baseball fans. On the front page of that sports section, however, was the sad story of a professional boxing match in which one boxer delivered several short punches to the head of his opponent, knocking him to the ground, from which he never got up. Following the death of the loser, the winner apologized to the man's family and decided to give up boxing. In the New Testament book of I Corinthians, chapter 9, verses 24-27, Paul uses sports--both running and boxing, to illustrate a spiritual truth. (717)

(Church) Year/Holy Week
04/04/07

How long is a year? When does a year begin and how is it divided? The answer to such questions depends upon the context in which they are asked for there are different kind of "years." A "solar year," the period during which the earth makes a complete revolution around the sun, is about 365 days. A "lunar year," consisting of 12 lunar months, the periods between two full moons, is about 354 days. A year begins at different times, depending on which calendar is used, whether Christian, Jewish, Islamic or Chinese. A "school year" also begins at different times, depending on the area. In Roman Catholic and Protestant churches at the present time, the "church year" begins with the season of Advent, on the 4th Sunday before Christmas, which commemorates the birth of Jesus. The highlight of the church year, however, is Easter, which celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Easter is observed on the first Sunday following the full moon that occurs on or next after March 21st, which is April 11th this year. This week before Easter is called "Holy Week." It begins with Palm Sunday, which commemorates Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, when people greeted him with palm branches and includes Maundy Thursday, commemorating his Last Supper with his disciples, and Good Friday, commemorating his crucifixion. In most churches, special services will be held this week to focus attention on these events and their spiritual significance. If you are able to attend any such services, I would be happy to receive an e-mail message, informing me of your reaction. (718)

Latin
04/04/09

There was an ancient country south of Rome in the central part of what is now Italy named Latium. It is from the name of that country that the word "Latin" was derived. Latin was the language of both Latium and ancient Rome. It is also the basis of the Romance languages, which include Spanish, Portuguese, French and Italian. Many English words are also derived from Latin. That part of the Western Hemisphere south of the United States, having Spanish, Portuguese or French as their official language, is called "Latin America" and a native or inhabitant of Latin America may be called a "Latino." Latino residents of the United States are also called "Hispanics" and the percentage of Hispanics in the U. S. A. is rapidly increasing. If present trends continue, it will not be long before the percentage of Hispanics in this country will surpass the percentage of Afro-Americans. "Latin Church" is a term used for the Roman Catholic Church, which for centuries used Latin as the language for its rituals, and a "Latin cross" is a cross with the horizontal bar shorter than the vertical bar. Latin crosses are commonly seen in Protestant churches, but in Roman Catholic churches, images of Christ on the cross, called crucifixes, are more common. At the time of the Protestant Reformation, stimulated by Martin Luther in 1517, only the Latin translation of the Bible was available for people to read. After the Latin Church excommunicated Luther, he translated the Bible into German, which made it available to the common believers as well as the educated priests. Since then, the Bible has been translated into many languages throughout the world. (713)

Resurrection
04/04/11

There are a number of different English words that denote the restoration of vitality or life to something that seems to be dead or to someone who seems to have died. Among them are renew, restore, revive, resucitate and resurrect. Each one of them has a particular emphasis, but the traditional Christian teaching relating to the body of Jesus following his death on the cross is limited to the word "resurrection." Today, we may read or hear of things that have been renewed or restored and of people who have been revived or resucitated, but on Easter Sunday, Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, the Christ. People outside of Japan will be surprised to know that there is a grave in a village, named Shingo, literally meaning "new village," in the northern Japanese prefecture of Aomori, in which the body of Jesus is said to be buried and at their annual Christ Festival, held on June 10th, villagers sing, dance and pray in commemoration of Jesus' death. According to that village's tradition, Jesus' younger brother died on the cross instead of Jesus, who eventually came to Japan where he died at the age of 106. The New Testament accounts of Jesus' resurrection are difficult for non-Christians to accept, but it is also difficult to understand how his disheartened disciples were renewed, restored and revived with new life that gave them the courage to fearlessly face death as they proclaimed Jesus' victory over death and urged others to find spiritual vitality through their faith in him. How can we explain the extension of this faith in Jesus' resurrection to people around the world who testify to the new life they have received through their faith in him? This also is "unbelievable." (719)

Civil War
04/04/14

One hundred and forty-three years ago, on April 12, 1861, when shots were fired against a fort in South Carolina, the Civil War began in the country known as "the United States of America." There are various meanings of the adjective "civil," including "polite" and " courteous," which are obviously not fitting as modifiers of "war." No, the Civil War was not a "civil" war. Rather, it was a very boorish, uncivil war between states in the North and those in the South. The common Japanese term for this war is "Nanboku Senso," which literally means the "South/North War." The northern states, under the presidency of Abraham Lincoln, were called the Union, while those southern states that seceded from the Union and elected Jefferson Davis as their president, were called the Confederacy, which may also mean "union." When the war began, there were seven states in the Confederacy and 27 states in the Union. The war was stimulated by opposing views related to slavery. The first slaves from Africa arrived in the American colony of Virginia on a Dutch ship in 1619 and were sold. Over the years, many more shiploads of African slaves were imported until their number reached over three-and-a-half million by the time of the Civil War. Slavery has been customary in many countries and cultures around the world and even many religious groups have sought to justify it. The American Civil War lasted for over four years and resulted in the deaths of about 360,000 Union soldiers and 260,000 Confederate soldiers. Unfortunately, wars and other conflicts continue to be waged between countries and cultures on the basis of prejudice. (720)

Recent Memorial Service
04/04/16

In the center of this Christian retirement community is a large bulletin board, both sides of which are filled with information related to the community--including notices of meetings and other activities. At one end of the bulletin board, a small Christian flag is attached whenever a death occurs. When we see the flag hanging there, we look at the section of the bulletin board which informs us of the name of the person who died and when and where the funeral or memorial service will be held. Since the average age of the 500 residents here is 75, including more than 50 who are over 90, it is not surprising that we frequently see that flag waving. Whether to hold a funeral service in the community cemetery, during which the coffin is lowered into the ground in the presence of those who attend, or a memorial service in the church is determined by the relatives or their proxies. Recently, during a ten-day period, there were four such memorial services, including one for our neighbor, whose sons and families came from distant cities to attend and to settle his affairs. Both sons were born in Peru and also lived in Chile where their parents served as missionaries. The elder son, Brian Williams, who now lives in Japan with his Japanese wife, is a well-known artist whose art exhibits are often held in Takashimaya Department stores. The younger son, David, is a teacher in a high school in Tucson, Arizona. Both sons participated in the memorial service and related interesting, meaningful and amusing stories related to their father's life. My wife and I enjoyed the times of fellowship we had with them and their families--both here and in Japan. (722)

Fish
04/04/19

Living creatures in the world that have a backbone or spinal column include mammals, reptiles, birds and fish. Mammals are distinguished by self-regulating body temperature, hair and milk-producing glands in the females. Reptiles walk or crawl on the ground. Birds have wings and fly in the air, swim on the surface of water or walk on the ground or on the branches of trees. Fish have fins and live in the sea, lakes or rivers. There are many varieties of fish, or fishes, including some that are called "flying fish." Such fish do not actually fly, but they have enlarged fins capable of sustaining them in brief, gliding flight over the water. Some flying fish are able to glide for over a hundred meters. Fish are considered healthy sources of meat for human beings and have even been called "brain food" because they were thought to be good for the brain, but in informal English, something that inspires suspicion or is dubious may be called "fishy." At least four of the twelve disciples of Jesus were fishermen before he called them to follow him. The story of his calling them is found in the first chapter of the Gospel according to Mark. There, Jesus said, "Follow me and I will make you fishers of men." Following Jesus' death, fish became a Christian symbol. It is found not only in catacombs and other ancient monuments but in certain places today as well. The explanation for this symbol is found in the five letters which form the Greek word for "fish," pronounced "ichthus." These are the first letters of the Greek words for "Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior." (723)

Patients/Patience
04/04/21

One of the difficulties in learning the Japanese language is the number of different words which have the same pronunciation. This is related to the use of many different Chinese characters. In my Japanese dictionary, for example, there are 35 different words pronounced "kouka." In English also, there are homonyms, words having the same pronunciation but different meanings. One such example is the word pronounced "payshuns." As a noun, spelled p-a-t-i-e-n-c-e, it means the quality of being patient, capable of bearing affliction with calmness, but when spelled p-a-t-i-e-n-t-s, it is the plural of "patient," denoting persons under medical treatment. Often, it is necessary for patients to have patience. Over the centuries, a number of quotations related to patience have been recorded, including an old Chinese proverb, "Patience is power; with time and patience, the mulberry leaf becomes silk." In the New Testament book of I Thessalonians, written in the 1st century, readers are urged to "encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone"(5:14). The 18th century British statesman and orator, Edmund Burke stated that "Our patience will achieve more than our force," and Horace Bushnell, an American clergyman in the 19th century, said, "It is not necessary for all men to be great in action. The greatest and sublimest power is often simple patience." In the 20th century, the Hindu nationalist leader, Mahatma Gandhi, said "To lose patience is to lose the battle." Now, in this 21st century, world leaders and all of us should seriously consider these words. (721)

Blossom Festivals
04/04/23

When considering the natural beauty of Japan, there are two sights that naturally come to my mind, both of which have been the subjects of paintings and poetry throughout the ages. The first is the towering mountain called Fuji, a 3,776-meter extinct volcano that I climbed many years ago. Although the appearance of the mountain is different when the peak is covered with snow, the mountain itself does not change. The other beautiful sight characteristic of Japan are the cherry blossoms, which brightened our garden in the city of Nagoya. In contrast with Mt. Fuji, these beautiful blossoms last only a short time. During the week in which they are in bloom, many people gather together beneath them to enjoy themselves. Since 1912, when 3000 cherry trees were given to the city of Washington, D.C. from the city of Tokyo, Cherry Blossom Festivals have been held in the American capital also. One of the characteristics of Japanese cherry trees, however, is that even though they produce beautiful flowers, they do not produce fruit. In the northwestern state of Washington also a blossom festival is held every year. This Apple Blossom Festival is held in the city of Wenatchee, located in the central area of the state. This city is sometimes called the Apple Capital of the World, for from it thousands of carloads of apples are shipped to cities around the world. Which do you think is more important, beautiful blossoms or healthy fruit? In Luke 6:43-45, Jesus had something to say about trees and their fruit. (725)

Monotheistic Religions
04/04/25

The three major monotheistic religions of the world are Judaism, Christianity and Islam. A common element in these religions is the belief that there is one, and only one, true God, but each one has a sacred book in which the character and purpose of God is believed to have been revealed. Jews have the Torah. Christians have the Bible and Muslims have the Quran. Along with the Torah, or Law of God revealed to Moses in the thirteenth century before Christ, Jews also recognize the writings of other prophets included in what Christians call the Old Testament, written in Hebrew. In the Christian Bible, along with the Old Testament, in which a Messiah is foretold, there is a New Testament, written in Greek, that includes narratives related to Jesus Christ, whom Christians believe fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies. The Quran, written in Arabic, consists of revelations to Muhammad in the seventh century after the death of Jesus. Both Moses and Jesus are recognized as prophets by Muhammad, whom Muslims believe is the last and greatest prophet. There are a number of basic beliefs in these three religions which are similar; there are also elements that are distinctive. Whether to emphasize beliefs that may be unifying or divisive depends on the choice of the individual believer which is influenced both by the particular tradition and the personal character of the believer. In the problems faced in the world at the present time, the spirit or attitude manifested by believers may have greater influence than the doctrines they profess. (726)

Metric System in the U.S.A.
04/04/28

When my wife and I arrived in Japan, over fifty years ago, we had to learn a different system of weights and measurements than what was used in our homeland. After Japan adopted the metric system, matters became simpler and more logical, but that system was still different than the one commonly used in the U. S. A. In the metric system, first adopted in France in 1799, a meter is the unit of length, a gram is the unit of weight and since it is a decimal system, all units are divisible by 10. This system is now used by almost all of the technologically developed countries in the world, but many citizens in the U. S. A. continue to use the traditional British system of miles, yards, feet and inches, gallons, quarts and pints. In 1866, Congress approved the following statement: "It shall be lawful throughout the United States of America to employ the weights and measures of the metric system" and the use of this system became the official policy of the National Bureau of Standards in 1964. In 1975, legislation for voluntary conversion to the metric system within ten years was passed by Congress and the Trade Act of 1988 declared the metric system the preferred system of weights and measurements for U. S. trade and commerce. Nevertheless, the metric system has still not become the system of choice for most Americans in their daily lives. This is an example of the power of tradition even in a society that is considered advanced, intelligent and practical. But even respected traditions must sometimes be broken to encourage further progress. (724)