- New Times and Places (09/01/01)
For much of the world, this is considered the beginning of a new year, but when a “new year” begins depends upon the calendar one uses and how it is organized. According to the lunar calendar, a “new moon” occurs every month when the moon passes between the earth and the sun and becomes invisible or visible only as a narrow crescent. A “new year” begins when the earth has completed a single revolution around the sun. Looking in a dictionary or a map of the United States of America, one finds a surprising number of place names beginning with “new.” In fact, there are over 100 names of places in the U.S.A. that begin with “New,” including the names of four states. How many of the 50 states whose names begin with “New” can you name? In1614, John Smith gave the name “New England” to the most northeastern section of the country and the name has remained, although the names “New Spain” and “New France” did not. How many of the six states included in “New England” can you name? For many people, the beginning of a “New Year” is a time to reflect on one’s life and to make “New Year’s Resolutions” to effect some changes for improvement. Whether related to one’s daily routine, exercise, diet or faith, a firm resolution to improve or engage in some beneficial action at the beginning of a new year or simply of a new period may be very good. Although this word from Confucius is an exaggeration, it is something to think about: “There is nothing impossible in all the world except that the heart of man is wanting in resolution.” A firm resolution along with one’s faith in a supreme intelligent, merciful power can be very effective in improving personal as well as social situations. (1196)
- A Commemorative Concert(09/01/06)
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A “concert” is a musical performance given by one or more singers or instrumentalists or both. Many residents of this retirement community attend concerts outside the community and my wife and I are in the group that will attend the monthly “Coffee Concert” of the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra on Friday, January 9th, but periodically there are “commemorative concerts” within the community which are sponsored by present residents in memory of other residents, relatives or friends who have passed away—commemorating their achievements. On such occasions, we have enjoyed the expertise of talented musicians who played a variety of instruments, including stringed instruments, wind instruments and percussion instruments. The first such concert for this year was held on January 4th in the sanctuary of the community church and featured an amazing handbell ringer. On the long table in front of this musical artist, there were 37 handbells of different sizes, ranging from small, tinkling bells to large, deeply melodious bells. With a background of recorded music, she rapidly rang the individual bells at the proper time to enhance the melody. We were amazed at her ability to grasp the correct handbell and give it one or more shakes to add its significant sound to the melody. She was also an interesting speaker who held the microphone in her hand following every rendition and shared thoughts, experiences and memories related to the previous piece and introductory statements about the next one. To produce beautiful music, the harmony of mental and physical elements is required. (1197)
- Benediction (09/01/10)
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Over the past twenty centuries, three different ecclesiastical traditions in the Christian Church developed: Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Protestant. Each one has its own traditional form of worship and there are varieties within each tradition as well. The many different Protestant denominations in particular have a great variety of theological emphases, doctrinal expressions and their practical implications. Even though there are differences in the form and details of worship services, they usually end with a “benediction” in most Protestant churches, so many church members may think that that word signifies a final prayer. The Latin root of the word, however, means to “say well,” “to bless.” A “benediction,” or “prayer of blessing,” may be offered at any place in the worship service or at other times as well. People who are acquainted with church history will associate this word with the name of a 6th century saint, called Benedict, who, following his experience as a hermit, established a monastic order called the Benedictines, probably the most highly respected monastic order in the Roman Catholic Church. Popes in the Roman Catholic Church may choose the name of a saint to identify themselves and the present pope is Benedict XVI. Only the name of John has been more often chosen by a pope; the pope who served from 1958 to 1963 was John XXIII. Benedictions are not only offered by popes or ordained ministers and need not be limited to a formal service. The “prayer of blessing” may be offered at any time and I pray that today will be a blessed time for you. The English poet, William Wordsworth has written, “The thought of our past years in me doth breed perpetual benediction.” (1198)
- Benjamin Franklin (09/01/14)
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Hearing or reading the name “Benjamin,” will stimulate different kinds of thoughts and memories, depending on the listener or reader. Meaning “son of the right hand” in Hebrew, it was the name given to the 12th and final son of Jacob (Genesis 35:16-26). Consequently, it was also the name of one of the 12 tribes of Israel. It was the name of an elder brother of my father and was given to me as my middle name. And it was the name of one of the most important persons in the early history of the United States of America. Benjamin Franklin was born 333 years ago this week, on January 17, 1706. Not only was he a writer, a statesman and a diplomat, who helped draft the Declaration of Independence (at the signing of which, he made the following remark: “Yes, we must indeed, all hang together or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately.”) Benjamin Franklin was also a scientist (who identified lightning with electricity by means of his famous investigation with a kite during a storm) and an inventor (who invented a fuel-saving stove and bifocal lenses). As the owner of the Pennsylvania Gazette, his wit, wisdom and commonsense philosophy were regularly expressed in essays and aphorisms that were widely circulated and his Poor Richard’s Almanack, which was published annually from 1732 to 1757 was very popular. As a philanthropist, he was instrumental in founding the country’s first hospital, first subscription library and first insurance company—all in Philadelphia. Many sayings of Benjamin Franklin continue to be quoted today, including the statement he wrote in a letter in 1783, “There never was a good war or a bad peace.” (1199)
- Birthday Celebrations (09/01/18)
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It is customary in many traditions to celebrate a person’s birthday every year on the same day and month on which the person was born. There were six children in my family and it was our custom to give birthday presents to each one on their birthday, and our mother made a special birthday cake which was enjoyed by all. Now that we are living in different places, we send a birthday card and/or make a telephone call to wish that person a “Happy Birthday.” Since our daughter lives in Thailand, she regularly reminds her mother that her mother’s birthday is a national holiday there because her birthday is the same as that of the king of Thailand. This month, the birthday of my youngest sister will be a holiday in the United States of America because this year it falls on the third Monday of January, which has been designated the day to celebrate the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., who was born on January 15,1929. As Barack Obama becomes president of the U.S.A., the fervent hope of Martin Luther King, Jr. that racial discrimination be eliminated from American tradition will be closer to reality. Obviously, there was no problem when he was given the same name as his father who had been given the name of the famous German Roman Catholic priest who began the Protestant Reformation in the 15th century. But, a recent newspaper article raised the question of whether the name given to a child can be proscribed by a government or a commercial enterprise. It noted the refusal of a supermarket to put the name of the child on a birthday cake. The child had been given the name of the German Nazi leader, Adolf Hitler. (1200)
- Public Prayers (09/01/22)
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The Inauguration Ceremony of the new President of the United States of America attracted the attention of millions of people of many different countries, races and religions around the world. Making use of modern electronic devices, it was possible to both see and hear the ceremony as it was occurring, so there was no need to await descriptions, including the positive or negative comments of reporters. Certainly the prayers, which were offered by Christian ministers at both the beginning and end of the ceremony, will be the subject of critical remarks, for problems related to the relation of religion and government continue to stimulate strong reactions. The native inhabitants of this area, who were mistakenly called “Indians,” had religious traditions which their descendants continue to maintain today, and obviously, some of the early European settlers had strong religious convictions, which were included in their motivation for coming to this “new world.” However, the official Constitution of the republic that was established here made clear that “no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof” would be permitted. The public prayers offered at the beginning and end of the Inauguration Ceremony were obviously composed by the ministers chosen by Barack Obama but there was no need for nonbelievers to join them in praying, even though many Christians voluntarily joined in the recitation of the Lord’s Prayer at the close of the first prayer. From my perspective (having lived most of my life in Japan), I would advise against using distinctive religious prayers in a public gathering that is related to government. (1201)
- Newsworthy Events
(09/01/26)
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Since President Obama’s inauguration last week, newspapers, magazines,
radio and television programs have focused on many details, not only of the
changed political situation both in Washington, D. C. and in the world at large,
but on the activities of the Obama family as they adjust to their new living
conditions and life-style in the White House as well. Although the changes
that result from a different political atmosphere and direction regularly occur
with a change in political
leadership, the Obama family’s ages and cultural background make its
adjustments of particular interest to many people. What is considered “worthy of
news,” or “newsworthy,” depends on the perspective and experience of the
viewer/reader, but in the case of the Obama family, it seems that bodily movements as
well as the wardrobe of those involved are all of interest and “worthy” of
mention. Of course, the meaning of “worth” is also related to the context.
Nowadays, “worth” is often used to indicate monetary value. Someone may ask
you, “How much is that used car worth?” In the Bible, however, “worth”
often has a spiritual implication. In the New Testament book of Acts, chapter
5, verse 41, it is written that, following a kind of trial, the apostles left
the highest Jewish judicial council “rejoicing because they had been counted
worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name [of Jesus, the Christ].” And in his
2nd Letter to the Thessalonians, chapter 1, verse 5, the Apostle Paul wrote
that, because of the persecutions they were enduring, they would “be counted
worthy of the kingdom of God.” In the New Testament sense of the word, being
counted worthy involves the willingness to suffer for one’s faith. And this
remains true, in many cases, even today. (1202)
- New Deal
(09/01/30)
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In the United States of America, holidays are determined by the government. There are ten federal holidays which are observed by all fifty states, but there are also state holidays, determined and observed by particular states. In the state of Kentucky, January 30 is a holiday commemorating the birthday of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the 32nd president, who was born in Hyde Park, New York, on that day in 1882. “F.D.R.” is the only man to have served three terms, a total of 12 years, as President. In fact, he was elected to a fourth term, but died three months after his fourth term began. Six years after his death, an amendment to the Constitution limited a President to two terms in office. Roosevelt became the Democratic Party’s candidate for President following the stock market crash of 1929, the beginning of the Great Depression. By the time he had taken office in 1933, the nation’s unemployed numbered between 12 and 15 million, one-seventh of the population was subsisting on public or private relief, over 5000 banks had failed and many factories had closed. In the midst of such a gloomy situation, President Roosevelt pledged a “New Deal” for the American people which emphasized a stabilized banking system, the creation of new jobs, giving financial assistance to the needy, insuring better farm income, beginning a vast program of public works, construction of roads, dams, etc. The term, “new deal,” used by President Roosevelt, has kept that meaning ever since, and now, the new president of the U.S.A. has an incentive to start another “new deal” for the good of the country and the world. (1203)