True Mother: “They are noble sacrifices for the Will of God!” (Full Coverage)
They loved God, families, and friends!
Special Coverage of the Seonghwa Ceremonies for Four church members who ascended into Heaven in the Mt. Ontake Eruption in Japan
By FFWPU Japan
Natural calamities occur unexpectedly. In the East Japan Great Earthquake, the massive tsunami waves came from the very familiar offshores, gulping homes, vehicles and fleeing people altogether, totally out of the blue. This time, the calamity fell down from the sky!
At about 11:50 in the morning of September 27th, the Mt. Ontake locating near the prefectural boundaries of Nagano and Gifu suddenly fumed, making ‘colorful thunder c louds’, to the curiosity of many c limbers enjoying the autumn beauties. While many tried to focus their cameras on the unusual views, the active volcano did erupt and covered the area with volcanic ashes, blocking their sights and even hampering their respiration. Soon, countless volcanic cinders of many sizes showered the climbers at the speed of about 300 kilometers per hour, twice the speed of a professional baseball player’s ball throwing.
Among the victims of this nature’s onslaught were four of our church members: two first-generation and one second-generation members belonging to the Toyota Church; one second-generation member belonging to the Chiryu Church, both within the East Aichi Parish. When their remains were identified on October 9th, Rev. Yeon Cheon S ong, chairman of the National Blessed Families Association, paid visits to both churches, comforting the four families and offered prayers together. (his prayer on page 6). Conveying True
Mother’s message given earlier that morning, Rev. Song said to the bereaved family members: “As those who ascended into heaven were precious and noble sacrifices for the W ill of God, let us send them nicely and respectfully!”
Rev. Song also said, “Thanks to their sacrifices, the providence towards VISION 2020 will progress more rapidly!” The Seonghwa ceremony of Shin-ichiro Miyake on October 10th was officiated by the church president Rev. Eiji Tokuno.
Rev. Song comforts bereaved families
Trusted and respected by classmates and teachers / Kotomi and Akari were indispensable among the second-generation members.
Having acknowledged personal merits and histories of the four deceased, Rev. Song met with their bereaved families. He spoke words of appreciation to the four good-natured, trustworthy and reliable people. Following are some of his conversation with the families:
With the parents of Kotomi Ito
Rev. Song: When the eruption occurred, where were you, Father?
Mr. Ito: On my way to the summit, I was climbing around 50 meters away from the peak, where Kotomi awaited me.
Rev. Song: What were Kotomi-san’s dreams in her life?
Mr. Ito: She had a dream of becoming a missionary. Even a day before the climbing, she spoke of her ambition as a missionary.
Rev. Song: How did she aspire to be a missionary?
Mr. Ito: Peers’ influence, perhaps, as she was engaged earnestly in the heaven-dedicated drum performance. She endeared herself as ‘Elder Sister’ to the church peers.
Rev. Song: What sort of image did you, Kotomi-san’s Mother, have about her?
Mrs. Ito: She was really fond of the church, even more than her school. She arranged church-related matters herself such as a workshop or this mountain climbing, reporting to us later. While at her nursery school, Kotomi wrote in my husband’s notebook in childish letters “We have to witness!” My husband said later that it was a revelation!”
Rev. Song: She was much more committed than her parents! (laughter)
With the parents of Akari Nagayama
Rev. Song: This morning, I explained to Mother about the four members. Regarding Akari-san, I reported that she was truly active among the school children, passionately practicing the drum performance together with her favorite friend Kotomi Ito; Akari aspired to become a medical professional and, like Florence Nightingale, to help those who cannot go to hospital and teach about God; a reporter was moved by her personality to tears and genuinely mourned her ascension. Later, an aide at the Cheon Jeong Gung Museum said to me, “While Mother listened to your (Rev. Song’s) report about Akari-san, Mother was wiping tears with her handkerchief.” How did mother find Akari in her daily life?
Mrs. Nagayama: Akari was shy but quite vibrant and kind, really fond of God, showing her faith straight. Rev. Song: How is father’s impression?
Mr. Nagayama: Among our six children, Akari was unique – too superb to be born from us (all laugh). That was indeed how she was!
Mrs. Nagayama: Today I visited her school, where her teacher told me, “Akari-san was too great! I learnt a lot from her!” The school’s principal expressed special impression about the Homecoming and Seonghwa Ceremonies.
Rev. Song: The Senghwa ceremony is really special, isn’t it? Anyone is moved by the ceremony. The media people were also touched, weren’t they?
When Akari’s father uttered his impression that his being on the mountain peak right at the very rare moment of the eruption could not be a coincidence, Rev. Song responded by saying the following:
“You went over to pray. The mountain peak is where a prayer is to be offered. You reached there earlier than anyone else and prayed, for the achievement of VISION2020 with church members in one heart. The 17 church members did climb in that spirit, didn’t they? The four people (who ascended into heaven) climbed up earlier than the others in order to inherit True Mother’s dedication in Swiss.”
”Mother! You should not blame yourself too much!”
In taking particular care for the mother who had lost her daughter, Rev. Song said as follows: “As a mother, this sort of an incident is very hard to accept. But it would not be appropriate for you to excessively blame yourself in tears. In the True Parents’ family, five children were sacrificed. As they ascended for the sake of the accomplishment of the Will, True Parents did not shed tears. When Heung-Jin Nim passed away, True Father offered a prayer of gratitude: “Heung-Jin ascended in my place!” Though your devastation and deep grief are natural, please, please try to digest them in thanks as the noble sacrifice for the Will of God. If you are indulged in questioning why this incident happened, many emotions and thoughts will annoy you. Throughout God’s history of restoration, as we know too well, good and pure people were offered in order to advance providences.
Abraham must be excruciated when he was obliged to offer his own son. But in the spirit of absolute obedience and faith that God was with him and God’s Will must be there, he virtually offered his beloved son, didn’t he? That is why God blessed both Abraham and Issac, fulfilling a dispensation.
Through their sacrifices, as all the members of the Toyota Church are united, an incredible development and rapid dispensation will take place. Please, for God’s sake, think this way!
Mr. Mizuno and Mr. Miyake used to lead the church’s adult section
Mr. Mizuno attempted to help two second-generation children
Mizuno’s family members
Rev. Song: Your husband looks handsome and excellent! His father is also handsome. I wonder if I ever met Mr. Mizuno?
Mrs. Mizuno: When True Father instructed to search for any offspring of Ieyasu Tokugawa (the medieval warlord who established the Tokugawa dynasty), the Mizuno clan was found to be connected with the mother of Ieyasu, Lady Odai. So, my husband went over to Las Vegas on this matter. He might meet you there and then.
Incidentally, my grandfather graduated in the top position from the Sapporo Agricultural College, currently the Hokkaido University, and receiving baptism through the churchless sect of Kanzo Uchimura. My father inherited Christian faith, on whose foundation I could encounter the Divine Principle.
Rev. Song: On that day, your husband climbed the mountain alone?
Mrs. Mizuno: He left home alone early in the morning. The eruption happened at 11:52 am and I sent an email at 11:59: “Are you all right with so little sleep? “and “Are you on the peak? Take care!” Receiving no reply but unaware of the eruption, I went out for shopping. My mother telephoned me about the incident involving my husband.
Rev. Song: I heard that Mr. Mizuno tried to help Kotomi and Akari on the peak.
Mrs. Mizuno: My husband could have been saved if he had hid himself behind the shrine’s roof. But he dashed towards the two children. I said to my children: ‘If that account is true, we can be proud of our father!’ Once I questioned my husband about an emergency: ‘Would you dare to save someone or flee for yourself ?’
He said, ‘Definitely, I shall go and help others!’ He is that sort of person!
Mr. Miyake’s family members
A meeting with the family of Mr. Miyake took place in a waiting room of the funeral home where the Seunghwa ceremony was to be held. Very short period of time due to preparations for the ceremony, Rev. Song talked with the family in a very sincere manner:
Rev. Song: This morning, I informed True Mother by phone that Miyake-san’s body was identified. I reported that he was one of the 6,500 couples and an indispensable core member of the church. How did you find your father?
Elder son: He was very affectionate.
Mrs. Miyake: Police emailed his photo to my mobile phone upon finding his body. As I saw it, I got an intuition that he had indeed endured and done best for God’s sake. I felt he had ascended in gratitude. Indeed, my husband was a man of patience!
Rev. Song: Please, please try not to be too much pained by your father’s ascension. He would do greater work near True Father. May the mother and children cooperate with each other and live along!
Miyake family: Much obliged!
Prayer by Rev. Song, chair of the National Blessed Families Association
Precious and glorious Heavenly Parent!
Victorious True Parents of Heaven, Earth and Humankind!
From the bottom of our hearts, we offer our gratitude to the precious grace and love! We are well aware of the dedication with which You embrace and love the Japanese members, wishing us to live in happiness and health while testifying True Parents of Heaven, Earth and Humankind to the entire nation of Japan, who can live as the Blessed Families as desired by Heaven.
Recently Dr. Sun Jin Moon was dispatched to Japan, conveying True Mother’s precious words to us in the Global Youth Festival on September 23rd, the Okinawa Convention on September 28th as well as the Church Founding Commemoration Rally on October 1st. We are more than grateful for all these graces.
Through those words, we repented to be newly resurrected, committing ourselves to start anew as the children of Heavenly Parent. 2,000 years before, an incredible dispensation happened when the 120 faithful of the ecclesiastic church offered prayer in an attic of Marcos. Likewise, we were newly resurrected through the words of True Parents of Heaven, Earth and Humankind as given at the Youth Festival and redetermined to save Japan and the entire world. An explosive moment with incredible spirit and truth is taking place!
Also, at this most important juncture following the Foundation Day, we should attend and unite with True Mother in the age of Cheon Il Guk. But we could not make unity as desired by Heaven. We deeply repent and realize this moment of new beginning!
In the latest eruption of the Mt. Ontake, among the total of 63 killed or missing, four church members, both the first and second generations, ascended into heaven. True Mother kindly spoke about them; Kotomi Ito, Akari Nagayama, Toshiyuki Mizuno and Shin-ichiro Mizuno were sacrificed for the Will of God. Just this morning, True Mother advised us to properly attend these people of goodness dedicated to the precious Will of God. We cannot but be very much moved by her words.
In order not to spoil their sacrifices, we shall attend True Mother more than ever before, and march forward towards the victory of VISION2020 in the spirit of absolute oneness and filial piety. We would like to solicit Heaven to resurrect all the members of this Toyota Church, the Region No.8 and the entire Japanese Church so as to start anew towards achieving VISION2020, making them the filial sons and daughters whom God envisions, becoming noble people and heroes of history. Instead of crying over and grieving this latest sacrifice, we shall be grateful. We shall never spoil their sacrifices. We shall be united with Heaven’s Will and marching forward!
In dedicating our gratitude to True Parents who have offered prayer and sincere devotion for these four individuals, I would like to report all this in the name of Yeon Cheon Song, the Blessed Central Family on behalf of True Parents of Heaven, Earth and Humankind. Aju!
Kotomi was always cheerful and hard-working
700 friends and others attended her Homecoming
The Homecoming and Seonghwa Ceremonies for Kotomi Ito, a Blessed second generation, were conducted on October 1st and 2nd respectively at the funeral home in Kariya city of Aichi prefecture with Kwak Byong-Heon, pastor of the Chiryu Church, as its officiator.
Late Kotomi Ito was born on July 17th 1996 as the first daughter of Mitsuo and Ryoko Ito, one of the 6,500 couples, now living in Chiryu city of Aichi prefecture. She was 18-year old, third-grade student of the Aichi Prefectural Anjo High School.
The Homecoming ceremony was attended by 700 people, while 270 people joined the Seonghwa ceremony next day. Many messages of condolences were cabled by people including members of the National Diet and local assemblies in Aichi prefecture.
In the Homecoming ceremony, attendees sang a holy song No.39 ‘Song of the Garden’, followed by a representative prayer by Toshiya Takemoto, director of adult section of the Chiryu church, as follows:
“Kotomi-san used to share with other second-generation children her strong passion of becoming a missionary and determination of learning English at an appropriate college for it. Hard working, enduring, responsible and vibrant, she was exemplary as an elder sister in the church.”
Messages of Rev. Yeon Cheon Song, Chairman of the National Blessed Families Association as well as of Rev. Eiji Tokuno, president of the Unification Church of Japan, were read out. After reading some Words of Truth, Pastor Kwak gave a sermon under the title ‘Conversion to a new life’: “Seen in terms of an eternal measurement, our living is not so much different on earth or in heaven. Kotomi-san will live on in freedom as she has been until now.”
Remembering Kotomi-san before her ascension, Pastor Kwak concluded his message by saying: “With so many people including her family, relatives, church members, school teachers and her friends gathering around her soul, Kotomi-san must be truly delighted. May all of you live on earth and work in excellence on behalf of Kotomi.”
After offering flowers and incense, her father, Mitsuo Ito, represented the relatives and said: “At the mountain ridge where I was struggling to breathe, she told me, “Heading to the peak before you, Dad!” That was the last conversation with her. I would dare to say that Kotomi was really, really a good child, constantly talking about her friends and the world. She must have many dreams for her life. She is to leave you but she will forever remember the days spent and shared with you. Thank you for your attending today!
Farewell Address by by Fumie Takeuchi representing Kotomi’s friends
To my dear Kochan (a nickname for Kotomi)!
“(I am) Now at the summit!”, a message and a photo of your smiling face came via LINE around 11:30 on September 27th. S hor tl y, the news about the eruption and telephone disconnection concerned us. Still, we talked optimistically about her safety. But, here I am now, attending your Seonghwa Ceremony, so quick and unimaginable!
Around 2 years old, we met each other for the first time. Subsequently, we have been like a twin, exchanging childish talks and sharing many joyful moments. Sometimes I could not follow your full-powered ‘Kochan world’ or I was stung by your sharp tongue. Too often together with each other as a matter of course for me to ponder a life without Kochan!
In the intermediate school, we started the Japanese drum exercises, spending more time together. You were good at dancing and so pure in seeking for God through the drum performances. You were my heroine, you know! (syncopation)
We used to talk about the spiritual world to which anyone is to go, but not so soon! Aren’t you astonished by this quick happening? With full of filial piety, you must have many things to hope for in your life. But one of the drum team had a dream of Kochan, in which you were in a flower garden in full smile – to my relief a little.
I feel sad as I cannot meet Kochan on earth, but you may move around much more freely and constantly with us, so let us work harder for the sake of Heavenly Parent! I am sure Kochan will act great for Heavenly Parent in the spirit world.
Kochan! With this Seonghwa Ceremony today, you are definitely going to the bosom of God as a daughter of God. I thank you for your companion in the short 18 years. Let us see you again in about 80 years!
Farewell Remarks by the Second Son“My father is my pride.”
Homecoming and Seonghwa Ceremonies for Mr. Toshiyuki Mizuno
A Homecoming Ceremony and Seonghwa Ceremony for Mr. Toshiyuki Mizuno were held on October 3rd and 4th at a funeral hall in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture. It was officiated by Mr. Seigou Fukuzaki, district leader for East Aichi.
Mr. Mizuno was born May 26, 1954. He took part in the 6,000 Couples Blessing Ceremony of the Unification Church, and was married to Tokiko san. At the Toyota Church, he served as leader of the middle age group, and was well-trusted by the church leader and members. He was a model member, who practiced the faith of a “living for the sake of others.” He was 60 years at the time of his passing.
On October 4, approximately 400 people (his Homecoming Ceremony was attended by 500), gathered for the Seonghwa Ceremony which started at 11:00 am, with family, relatives, church members, friends and acquaintances attending. Many telegrams of condolences were received, including those from members of Japan’s National Diet and local assembly members of Aichi Prefecture.
Following a representative report prayer by Mrs. Naoko Kobayashi, woman leader of the East Aichi Parish, messages from Rev. Yong-cheon Song, Chairman of the National Blessed Families Association, and Rev. Eiji Tokuno, President of the Unification Church of Japan were read out, and Mr. Mizuno’s history was introduced.
Parish Leader Fukuzaki, in his remarks for the Seonghwa, described Mr. Mizuno’s character as saying, “At church, he was the kind of person who quietly brought out tables and chairs, without ever being asked. He was very gentle, like a kind elder brother to all.” He praised Mr. Mizuno for his exemplary life as a blessed family as well, saying, “Mr. Mizuno’s sons who are his living testimony have become wonderful young men, I believe because Mr. Mizuno lived for the sake of others, and the parents were very close to each other.”
A childhood friend of Mr. Mizuno said, “It must have been difficult at the mountain-top. But don’t worry! Your wife is wonderful, and your sons grew as good children. They’ve become better men than you, in fact. Watch over them from the other world! Toshi-kun, thanks. I won’t forget you!”
Next, the second son, Naotoshi said in his farewell remarks, “Without many words, I could feel that you, father, were proud of me. Thank you for always supporting me from behind scenes. I felt your back-up. And, father. Thank you very much for being my father,” expressing deep gratitude. (Full speech on the next page.) Holy Song No. 70, “Fighting the Good Fight” was sung, and after flowers and incense were offered by the participants, everyone offered a silent invocation.
In closing, the first son, Kimitaka, gave thanks on behalf of the family, saying, “Each of our siblings have now become independent, unable to spend much time with our father. He was a warm-hearted man, constantly sending us gifts and messages on our birthdays. I remember being greatly encouraged by some casual words of advice that he gave to me. I’m afraid I wasn’t too aware of how my father was doing outside of the home recently, but as I see many who have gathered to see him off today, this gives me a better understanding of him.”
Farewell Remarks, October 4, 2014 Naotoshi Mizuno
It was so sudden that I am at a loss for words. I think our father himself was probably the most surprised.
There was something I had been thinking lately. Having turned 25 years of age, and starting to understand more about the world, I felt I had not been conveying my thoughts of gratitude to my parents too well for the various things. With three boys, things can get kind of gruff, and my father didn’t express his feelings much, so I had not been conveying my grateful feelings much either.
Sometimes, in a small voice that my father could barely hear, I would say, “Arigato!” I think that my clumsiness must have been taken after my father. Father was always positive-minded with a strong sense of responsibility. I never heard him complain. He was moved easily, and when his emotions got the better of him, he tried not to show anyone. But I did notice.
I really wanted to talk with my father more frankly, to see him with his weaknesses, struggles and many other things. I honestly wanted to know everything about my father.
Although without too many words, I could feel that you, father, were proud of me.
But, before I could say these things to you, you have gone to heaven. Actually, really I wanted to express my thanks more deeply. I regret that it has to be said now under these circumstances, but please hear me.
When we were very young, thank you for taking us to the mountains to catch insects. We caught a lot of unicorn beetles, didn’t we? I thank you for catching those fireflies, running with all your might one summer night. The light from the fireflies were amazing, the best, that time. Thank you for taking us fishing. With one grain of rice, we caught so much on the first try, didn’t we?
Thank you for supporting me, whenever I started something new, saying, “Try it!”
Thanks for encouraging me when I put so much time in club sports that I failed the college entrance exams. I was frustrated with the extra year’s prep work, but you said, “This year will be a good experience!” It was truly a good experience for me.
Thank you for always supporting me from behind the scenes. I felt your back-up. And, father! Thank you very much for your being my father. You are my pride! The proof that you lived will continue to live in me.
Today, many, many people who trusted on you are here. Father! You are a happy man! With thoughts of you speaking to us, your three sons will put our strengths together to support mother and grandma, and will do our best, hand in hand!
Please watch over us from heaven. Until we see you again.
Akari, loved by many people
Akari Nagayama’s Homecoming Ceremony attended by 700
The Homecoming and Seonghwa Ceremonies of Blessed Child, Akari Nagayama were held respectively on October 6th and 7th 2014. Director Seigou Fukuzaki of the East Aichi Parish officiated at the funeral hall in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture.
Akari was born on June 3, 2003 as the second daughter of Kouji and Fumie Nagayama, a 360,000 Blessed Family living in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, attending the fifth grade at the Toyota Municipal Heiwa Primary School, and was only 11. She belonged to the basketball club, and was also a member of the Japanese drum band, “Tenpu Houon Ko” (Drums returning grace to Heavenly Father). She was active and had a kind nature.
Approximately 450 people including her school friends attended the Seonghwa Ceremony (700 attended her Homecoming Ceremony). Many telegrams of condolences were received, including those from National Diet members and local assembly members of Aichi Prefecture.
Following a representative report prayer by Mrs. Naoko Kobayashi, woman leader of the East Aichi Parish, messages from Rev. Yong-cheon Song, Chairman of the National Blessed Families Association, and Rev. Eiji Tokuno, President of the Unification Church of Japan were read out, and Akari’s history was introduced.
In his words for the Seonghwa, Rev. Fukuzaki said, “Akari-san was surrounded by many here on earth and loved by many. I often saw her at church, taking care of the younger children. Even in the spirit world, I believe she will be living for the sake of others, and help build the Kingdom of Heaven. Let’s see Akari off to heaven with a smile.” Her elder sister, Suzuka, spoke in tears: “Akari, thank you for what you have done until today. It was a short life of 11 years, but you never gave up with anything. You did your best at basketball, too. Please watch us from the spirit world. Akari! We love you!”
In a following video clip, Akari’s essay, “Dream for the Future” was introduced. It depicted how she was inspired by Florence Nightingale, whom she read about in the first grade. She wished to study hard to become a doctor, and stressed it was important to have consideration for others. As the essay was read out, some in the audience could not hold back their tears.
Holy Song No. 42, ‘God Is With Us’ was sung in commemoration of Akari. After flowers were laid by the participants, everyone offered a silent invocation. In closing, her father, Kouji, representing the family, expressed the following words of gratitude:
“As someone who had never experienced losing a child, I only thought that it was something from a fiction story. But now, I am feeling the emotions that cannot be understood without such a loss. She said she would like to be a doctor in the future. She mentioned that she would like to go to Africa, and heal the sicknesses of poor children. Akari’s dream could not be fulfilled, but as for all of her friends, I hope that you will live for her as well, and realize your dreams. I am very grateful that so many of you have come here for her today.”
My Future Dream, Grade 4, Akari Nagayama
My future dream is to become a doctor and go overseas, to treat people who are too poor to go to hospitals, and take care of patients. Why I would like to become a doctor? In the first grade, I read a book about Florence Nightingale, and wished I could become like her. Nightingale went to dangerous war zones, striving to build the foundation for nursing, giving people the hope to live. I was very moved by her.
While working as a doctor overseas, there are other things I would like to do. The first thing is to talk and teach about God. The second is to perform ‘the drums to return grace to Heavenly Father’ for villagers. The third is to help them re-build strong houses so that they won’t break even if disasters hit. Through these things, I wish that everyone can gain even a little strength.
Next, in order for me to become a doctor, there are some things I must work hard for. The first is to study very hard. A doctor must be smart, so I have to study a lot. The second is to strengthen my consideration for others. I should listen well to what the other person say so that I can make the patient feel more at ease.
But I probably won’t become considerate to others only by going abroad. So, I think it is important to start making it a habit to care for others, even from now. By doing so, I think things will go well. In order to succeed in these goals, I will need many things, but just as Nightingale did, I will also make lots of effort, and do my best to fulfill my dream, without giving up hope. (This is the full text of the essay.)
First Son, “Family becomes one, overcoming sorrow!”
Seonghwa Ceremony of Mr. Shin’ichiro Miyake officiated by Rev. Tokuno
A Homecoming Ceremony and Seonghwa Ceremony for Mr. Shin’ichiro Miyake, a 6,500 Blessed Family were held on October 3rd and 4th at a funeral hall in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture. Mr. Miyake belonged to the Toyota Church of East Aichi Parish, and with his wife, Mayumi, they have four children; two boys and two girls. He was aged 50.
The Seonghwa Ceremony was officiated by Rev. Eiji Tokuno, President of the Unification Church of Japan. Mrs. Naoko Kobayashi, woman leader of the East Aichi Parish offered a representative report prayer, and General Affairs Director of the Church headquarters, Haruyoshi Yano, read the message given by Rev. Yeon Cheon Song, Chairman of the National Blessed Families Association.
After a reading from the Book of Job, Chapter 2:1-10 from the Old Testament, the officiator, Rev. Tokuno, gave the Seonghwa remarks.
The first son, Ryutaro, said: “The death of my father, I believe, has impacted many, including our family. I feel we should not just grieve about his passing. I believe I myself should change so that my father can rest at ease.” Although the sudden passing of his father was not easy for him, he gave words of deep resolve.
After many telegrams of condolences were introduced, including those from National Diet members and local assembly members of Aichi Prefecture, participants offered flowers one by one. Holy Song No. 70, “Fighting the Good Fight” was sung, and following a silent invocation, the wife, Mayumi, gave greetings on behalf of the family.
Seonghwa Remarks (summary) by President Eiji Tokuno,Unification Church of Japan
We cannot really understand and feel the heart of parents who have suddenly lost their child, unless we experience it ourselves. However, it would be good to refer to True Parents’ words as we try to sort out our feelings.
I have heard before that, when True Parents received the report of the Seonghwa of one Korean elder, they said, “Sooner or later, human beings definitely go to the spirit world. No one can avoid this fate. Thus, in our daily lives, we should prepare our minds so that even if I or a family member ascends, we should welcome that definitive moment at any time.”
On December 10th 2008, I heard Father say this in Las Vegas: “Can you understand the feelings of parents who have had to send five of their children to the spirit world even before themselves? That is my situation! Please accept the Seonghwa of each of the five True Children as a pure, holy offering in order to make heaven’s providence to take a great stride forward. I will not begrudge this, but offer the children to heaven with gratitude. Such are the prayers I have been offering.”
Please deeply take to heart these words of Father’s. I pray that you overcome this difficult time, the cross of heart with families helping and supporting each other.
The reading today, from the Book of Job in the Old Testament is very well-known. Before Satan, God declares proudly that Job is the kind of person who will never abandon his absolute faith in God, no matter what happens. He says that Job will not forget his gratitude for me. He is a man who has lived life properly.
Then, Satan says that, when humans encounter trials that are life-threatening, they complain, curse or blame and resent others. So, God allows Satan to test Job. Satan strikes Job, giving him boils and blisters all over his body, and Job suffers terribly. His wife even tells him to die, resenting God for his trials.
Yet Job says that we receive our blessings from God, so should we not also receive trials from Him, and the Bible says that he did not sin with his lips. Because of this, Job is highly respected in the Christian tradition as the righteous man who did not sin either by word or by deed.
In our life, there are fortunes and misfortunes. At times, we are blessed, and at other times we are not blessed. The question is, it is easy to praise God when we are blessed, to thank people and show kindness and love for others. However, when we meet with grief, it is easy for us to complain about our fate.
It is important, whatever happens before our eyes, to believe that there is God’s profound dispensation and significance, thus, to feel grateful and accept it. Jesus said many times to “Love your enemies!”, himself putting this into practice at the height of his trial on the cross.
Father Moon’s life was also a series of hardships, being imprisoned unfairly six times, treading the path of tremendous sufferings. Nevertheless, Father left the famous words ‘In retrospect, all meant for love!’ Through Job’s faith and Jesus’ love even for one’s enemy as well as Father’s stance that all meant for God’s love even after six imprisonments, we can learn much.
When we consider what would have been the greatest wish of those who ascended, it would be that we practice love for heaven, love others and love the nation, in places of the four individuals. In other words, if we live for the sake of God and the others, I believe we can make their Seonghwa very meaningful and valuable.