Good Friday and Easter frame a very powerful way of looking. A different way of seeing the world. The crucifixion and resurrection of our Lord, Jesus, reconciled all things through him to the heavenly Father. All things. All men and women. Nothing is left untouched by the blood of Jesus.
When our eyes are fixed on him, the world begins to look different. It is that simple.
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| Crucifixion (Stained glass window at 26 Martyrs Cathedral in Nagasaki) |
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| Death |
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| Resurrection |
In order to see Fukushima with eyes of faith, I want to revisit the powerful story of Nagasaki, the Christian spiritual home of Japan in order to navigate the journey toward building Fukushima with Easter Hope.
It is almost impossible to visit Nagasaki without realizing how different Nagasaki is from the rest of the country, mostly due to the remarkable two historical events that took place there. The first event is the introduction and growth of Christian faith despite the brutal persecutions of Christians for over 200 years. After the first official persecution of 26 Christians in 1597, thousands of people lost their lives because of their faith. Unlike any other cities in Japan, over 10% of the population in Nagasaki claims to be Christian.
The second major event is the atomic bombing on August 9, 1945. There is a subtle but very important difference between Hiroshima and Nagasaki because of the quiet influence of Christianity and the sacrificial love poured out by Christians over the centuries. Christianity did not grow as a victorious triumphant religion from above or as a source of riches and upward social mobility and prosperity from outside, but rather grew as the source of eternal life and hope that produces perseverance and resilience from within and among people (whether they were formerly noblemen or slaves) to face suffering, and threats and fear of death here and now.
Urakami Cathedral was first built by a French priest and Kakure Khiristan, or hidden Christians who came out of hiding underground after the ban on Christianity had been lifted in 1895. When the construction was complete in 1925, it was the largest Catholic church in East Asia. But an atomic bomb dropped by a so-called Christian nation destroyed the Cathedral and over 8,000 Christians on that day (about 10% of people killed in Nagasaki).
The recovery process of Nagasaki after the World War II in Nagasaki has been characterized by the quiet, peace-building restoration of society by Christian leaders like Dr. Takashi Nagai (read my tribute to him on August 9, 2011 - here). His recollection of the tragedy is important for us to hear again and to understand how worldly events might be interpreted with the eyes of faith.
Urakami Cathedral was first built by a French priest and Kakure Khiristan, or hidden Christians who came out of hiding underground after the ban on Christianity had been lifted in 1895. When the construction was complete in 1925, it was the largest Catholic church in East Asia. But an atomic bomb dropped by a so-called Christian nation destroyed the Cathedral and over 8,000 Christians on that day (about 10% of people killed in Nagasaki).
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| The hyper-center of A-bombing (left) and the part of Urakami Cathedral remains (right) |
“It is significant, I believe, that Urakami Cathedral was dedicated to her. We must ask: Was this convergence of events, the end of the war and the celebration of her feast-day, merely coincidental or was it the mysterious Providence of God?
I have heard that the atom bomb… was destined for another city. Heavy clouds rendered that target impossible and the American crew headed for the secondary target, Nagasaki. Then a mechanical problem arose and the bomb was dropped further north than planned and burst right above the cathedral… It was not the American crew, I believe, who chose our suburb. God’s providence chose Urakami and carried the bomb right above our homes. Is there not a profound relationship between the annihilation of Nagasaki and the end of the war? Was not Nagasaki the chosen victim, the lamb without blemish, slain as a whole-burnt offering on an altar of sacrifice, atoning for the sins of all the nations during World War II?”
I have heard that the atom bomb… was destined for another city. Heavy clouds rendered that target impossible and the American crew headed for the secondary target, Nagasaki. Then a mechanical problem arose and the bomb was dropped further north than planned and burst right above the cathedral… It was not the American crew, I believe, who chose our suburb. God’s providence chose Urakami and carried the bomb right above our homes. Is there not a profound relationship between the annihilation of Nagasaki and the end of the war? Was not Nagasaki the chosen victim, the lamb without blemish, slain as a whole-burnt offering on an altar of sacrifice, atoning for the sins of all the nations during World War II?”
(A Song for Nagasaki, p. 188)
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| Broken statues of saints from the old Urakami Cathedral moved to the new cathedral. |
| A little corner of the new building of Urakami Cathedral is filled with broken statues of saints. The faith of martyrs flows through the centuries and the stories of the past is always a vital part of the powerful now. |
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