Faith, a gift from God.
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Seeing with the Eyes of Faith (2): Father Aguilar of Nagasaki
How does one see such devastating disasters in Fukushima and make sense of life? Midori and I had a very special conversation with Father J. Jose Aguilar Colio, S.J. from Mexico who has been living in Japan for 59 years. He was one of the founding members of the 26 Martyrs Museum in Nagasaki back in 1962.
He had a simple message about this way of seeing with the eyes of faith: “Get deeper.”
From Nagasaki to Fukushima: Seeing with the Eyes of Faith (1)
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. |
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Fukushima in the Eyes of Faith: A Year in Review
Palm Sunday, 2012.
My first intention to start this blog was to share some stories of the local churches in Fukushima only for one week between Palm Sunday and Easter last year but the story kept growing. I went to visit three more times since last April.
In my first visit last April, I learned the nuclear crisis firsthand in addition to the devastating earthquake and tsunami. My Japanese team identified their strategy to work with local churches between 20-60KM radius outside the crippled Fukushima Dai-ichi plant.
In July visit, we offered a retreat to 25 church leaders from various cities in Fukushima and helped form them into a network, Fukushima Christian Network. These pastors came together to lament and to grieve the magnitude of the loss and the scale of the combined disasters (read their prayers of lament here). They wrote a declaration together, called the Fukushima Future Declaration (Read here). They recognized the significance of this disaster and the role of the church in the restoration of Fukushima, drawing on the historical meaning of the name, Fukushima (福島, the land of Gospel - read here). They also found strength in the evidence of the thriving Christian communities prior to persecution in the 17th and 18th century in the Fukushima area.
In November visit, I learned how deep and wide the history of Christianity in Japan has been since the 16th century mission by Jesuits. The persecuted Christians fled from Japan and went to Macau. They helped building communities and educational establishments in Macau(read here).
In March visit, we hosted three events, one of which is Fukushima Youth Forum. A group of 50 youth from Fukushima, other parts of Japan, and nations such as the USA, Canada, and Hong Kong gathered in Inawashiro, Fukushima prefecture for the Fukushima Youth Forum. For two days, the youth explored how their personal stories fit into God’s big story. Based at a government camp in the snowy mountains, they worshipped, prayed and enjoyed fellowship. They were challenged to look for the purpose of their lives while serving their suffering neighbours in the disaster-affected areas. In a way, serving in Fukushima is a pathway for these youth, helping them to find their life calling, while simultaneously fulfilling the current calling on their lives - to serve the immediate needs of their neighbours in Fukushima, Miyagi and Iwate (the three prefectures affected by the earthquake and tsunami).
MATTHEW 21:9Jesus makes a triumphant kingly entry to Jerusalem, the city of peace. He enters to bring peace and his method of doing this is by offering his own life, as the Suffering Servant. His journey en Via Dolorosa begins today. At the end of that suffering, he overcomes the fear of death on the cross and offers a new life, life in him with the Easter hope. This hope has been, and continues to be the compass for our journey en route to Fukushima. I spent the whole day to reflect on my own journey to Fukushima for the past year since I first visited Fukushima and since I started this blog.
"Hosanna to the Son of David!"
"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"
"Hosanna in the highest heaven!"
My first intention to start this blog was to share some stories of the local churches in Fukushima only for one week between Palm Sunday and Easter last year but the story kept growing. I went to visit three more times since last April.
In my first visit last April, I learned the nuclear crisis firsthand in addition to the devastating earthquake and tsunami. My Japanese team identified their strategy to work with local churches between 20-60KM radius outside the crippled Fukushima Dai-ichi plant.
In July visit, we offered a retreat to 25 church leaders from various cities in Fukushima and helped form them into a network, Fukushima Christian Network. These pastors came together to lament and to grieve the magnitude of the loss and the scale of the combined disasters (read their prayers of lament here). They wrote a declaration together, called the Fukushima Future Declaration (Read here). They recognized the significance of this disaster and the role of the church in the restoration of Fukushima, drawing on the historical meaning of the name, Fukushima (福島, the land of Gospel - read here). They also found strength in the evidence of the thriving Christian communities prior to persecution in the 17th and 18th century in the Fukushima area.
In March visit, we hosted three events, one of which is Fukushima Youth Forum. A group of 50 youth from Fukushima, other parts of Japan, and nations such as the USA, Canada, and Hong Kong gathered in Inawashiro, Fukushima prefecture for the Fukushima Youth Forum. For two days, the youth explored how their personal stories fit into God’s big story. Based at a government camp in the snowy mountains, they worshipped, prayed and enjoyed fellowship. They were challenged to look for the purpose of their lives while serving their suffering neighbours in the disaster-affected areas. In a way, serving in Fukushima is a pathway for these youth, helping them to find their life calling, while simultaneously fulfilling the current calling on their lives - to serve the immediate needs of their neighbours in Fukushima, Miyagi and Iwate (the three prefectures affected by the earthquake and tsunami).
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| Youth Forum participants holding drawings they made that envisage the future of Fukushima |
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| Visiting Usuiso village tsunami site. The local church, with their prophetic imagination, hopes to rebuild the whole community, beginning with a listening post. |
We must recognize that in Fukushima, one year after the disaster, the work of the local church has only just begun. Rebuilding Fukushima’s local economy and its future according to God’s plan for his kingdom on earth will take decades. Each of us must continue to pray for Fukushima so that it may truly become its namesake – the Land of Blessing.
Each of the local churches we visited shared remarkable stories of their resilience and tenacious work, but more importantly, their stories point to one powerful truth: We serve a living God who loves his creation and sacrificed his own life to restore all he created to himself. That's the promise of the gospel, the most powerful story we are reminded again in this Holy Week on the way to the Cross.
Isaiah 42
The Servant of the LORD
1 “Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
my chosen one in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him,
and he will bring justice to the nations.
2 He will not shout or cry out,
or raise his voice in the streets.
3 A bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.
In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;
4 he will not falter or be discouraged
till he establishes justice on earth.
In his teaching the islands will put their hope.”
my chosen one in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him,
and he will bring justice to the nations.
2 He will not shout or cry out,
or raise his voice in the streets.
3 A bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.
In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;
4 he will not falter or be discouraged
till he establishes justice on earth.
In his teaching the islands will put their hope.”
5 This is what God the LORD says—
he who created the heavens and stretched them out,
who spread out the earth with all that springs from it,
who gives breath to its people,
and life to those who walk on it:
6 “I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness;
I will take hold of your hand.
I will keep you and will make you
to be a covenant for the people
and a light for the Gentiles,
7 to open eyes that are blind,
to free captives from prison
and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.
he who created the heavens and stretched them out,
who spread out the earth with all that springs from it,
who gives breath to its people,
and life to those who walk on it:
6 “I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness;
I will take hold of your hand.
I will keep you and will make you
to be a covenant for the people
and a light for the Gentiles,
7 to open eyes that are blind,
to free captives from prison
and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.
8 “I am the LORD; that is my name!
I will not yield my glory to another
or my praise to idols.
9 See, the former things have taken place,
and new things I declare;
before they spring into being
I announce them to you.”
I will not yield my glory to another
or my praise to idols.
9 See, the former things have taken place,
and new things I declare;
before they spring into being
I announce them to you.”
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Seoul - Nuclear Security Summit
One of the events in Fukushima this March was the Fukushima International Forum, in which we shared wisdom from around the world regarding how local churches have tackled major crises such as the Chernobyl explosion in 1986 and several other recent disasters like Sichuan Earthquake in China in 2008. We also discussed most probable future man-made disasters that will shake the world: North Korea. After so many meetings and events in Japanese cities from Nagasaki to Fukushima, my mind was saturated both with stories of remarkable witness and stories of failures from local churches around the world as I left Japan (with a few more stories to write on Fukushima!) to come to Seoul for a few days of R&R.
I arrived at Incheon airport last Saturday afternoon. The airport looked clean and efficient as usual, but it was quieter and filled with more security police than I'd seen in that airport in the last 10 years. I didn't know that there was to be a Nuclear Security Summit being held this week in Seoul. The summit included leaders from over 50 nations and over 5,000 other delegates, journalists, and so on.
One of the hottest topics talked about among people before the summit began was North Korea's plan to launch a rocket some time between April 12th and 15th in celebration of the 100th birthday of the late leader, Kim Il-Sung (grandfather of Kim Jung-Eun). Despite having one of the largest militaries in the world, North Korea has a starving population and is trying to negotiate food aid from the USA but has technology to make a missile that could potentially reach as far as the Philippines or Australia (just so you know, South Korea does not have the technology to produce such powerful missiles!). North Korea is now planning to launch a rocket into space. You can read more about the planned rocket launch next month on the BBC website, here.
The Japanese Prime Minister, Mr. Noda, quietly left the Nuclear Security Summit before its official closing ceremony after slamming North Korea, even though representatives had agreed not to discuss localized nuclear issues such as Iran and North Korea at the summit (Read Reuters report here). While many Heads of State were busy with bilateral summits and agreements before and after the summit, Mr. Noda came to Seoul quietly, had no other meetings, and left quietly. One could suspect his unusual actions may be due to the present crisis in Fukushima, but the Korean media suspects more than that. Korea and Japan share a history of wars and hatred, and extreme right-wing nationalism has been growing in both nations over some of the unresolved issues of the past. No one truly knows the reason other than Mr. Noda himself.
The Politics of Fear and the Culture of Numbness
Returning to Seoul after spending 2-3 weeks in Fukushima, I am always overwhelmed by the emotional distance and the depth of brokenness between the two nations compared with their physical closeness. Fukushima seems to have long forgotten by world media, but the fear of radiation often surfaces in Korean media, as in Tokyo or other parts of Japan. At the same time, as I talked with a few friends in Korea over lunch or coffee this past weekend, the Korean people do not seem concerned about North Korea's rocket launch plan in Seoul, I sense more than fear of radiation; there is also fear coming from the past. Koreans fear what Japan might turn to in dealing with its neighbouring nations out of this ongoing national crisis. The mass-irritation and deep anger toward Japan felt by my own people in Korea makes me wonder at the bizarrely high level of silence and numbness with regard to the current situations with our own brothers and sisters beyond the 38th Parallel North.
I cannot really speak into this century-old hatred between the two nations, as one who did not experience the atrocities of the Japanese occupation or of the Korean war. All I can say as a Korean is that we need to work toward building a shared future of "shalom," a true peace that is not simply a passive silence. And it must begin here and now. No more waiting.
I arrived at Incheon airport last Saturday afternoon. The airport looked clean and efficient as usual, but it was quieter and filled with more security police than I'd seen in that airport in the last 10 years. I didn't know that there was to be a Nuclear Security Summit being held this week in Seoul. The summit included leaders from over 50 nations and over 5,000 other delegates, journalists, and so on.
One of the hottest topics talked about among people before the summit began was North Korea's plan to launch a rocket some time between April 12th and 15th in celebration of the 100th birthday of the late leader, Kim Il-Sung (grandfather of Kim Jung-Eun). Despite having one of the largest militaries in the world, North Korea has a starving population and is trying to negotiate food aid from the USA but has technology to make a missile that could potentially reach as far as the Philippines or Australia (just so you know, South Korea does not have the technology to produce such powerful missiles!). North Korea is now planning to launch a rocket into space. You can read more about the planned rocket launch next month on the BBC website, here.
The Japanese Prime Minister, Mr. Noda, quietly left the Nuclear Security Summit before its official closing ceremony after slamming North Korea, even though representatives had agreed not to discuss localized nuclear issues such as Iran and North Korea at the summit (Read Reuters report here). While many Heads of State were busy with bilateral summits and agreements before and after the summit, Mr. Noda came to Seoul quietly, had no other meetings, and left quietly. One could suspect his unusual actions may be due to the present crisis in Fukushima, but the Korean media suspects more than that. Korea and Japan share a history of wars and hatred, and extreme right-wing nationalism has been growing in both nations over some of the unresolved issues of the past. No one truly knows the reason other than Mr. Noda himself.
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| Incheon Airport |
The Politics of Fear and the Culture of Numbness
Returning to Seoul after spending 2-3 weeks in Fukushima, I am always overwhelmed by the emotional distance and the depth of brokenness between the two nations compared with their physical closeness. Fukushima seems to have long forgotten by world media, but the fear of radiation often surfaces in Korean media, as in Tokyo or other parts of Japan. At the same time, as I talked with a few friends in Korea over lunch or coffee this past weekend, the Korean people do not seem concerned about North Korea's rocket launch plan in Seoul, I sense more than fear of radiation; there is also fear coming from the past. Koreans fear what Japan might turn to in dealing with its neighbouring nations out of this ongoing national crisis. The mass-irritation and deep anger toward Japan felt by my own people in Korea makes me wonder at the bizarrely high level of silence and numbness with regard to the current situations with our own brothers and sisters beyond the 38th Parallel North.
I cannot really speak into this century-old hatred between the two nations, as one who did not experience the atrocities of the Japanese occupation or of the Korean war. All I can say as a Korean is that we need to work toward building a shared future of "shalom," a true peace that is not simply a passive silence. And it must begin here and now. No more waiting.
Sunday, March 25, 2012
A Memoir of Hiroshima: No More! Because I was a victim...
A lot of anger and resentment in Fukushima has triggered the anti-nuclear protests more strongly than the efforts to regenerate economy and community. I've been wondering about this for several months now and knew the answer was in the recent history of Hiroshima and Nagasaki where the previous nuclear disaster was related to the wars.
To help us navigate future direction for transformation of Fukushima, Midori and I decided to learn deeper historical roots and wider social contexts of this nuclear crisis in Fukushima - the largest national crisis in Japan since the WW II. Thus we felt a trip to Hiroshima and Nagasaki seemed like a necessary step before we could move forward, especially for my trip to Chernobyl a few months ago opened our eyes that nuclear crisis is not simply an energy crisis. In Hiroshima, we went to visit a local church whose pastor has been involved in the peace movement for over four decades now.
Hiroshima Tobu Church of United Church of Christ in Japan
The two brothers were playing outside their home on August 6th, 1945 when the older brother said, “The Sun is falling down!” and they were blown away in the heavy wind blowing from the descending bomb. The atomic bomb dropping from the sky looked like a giant red ball, resembling the sun, to the eyes of witnesses on that day. The two children survived that day but the real struggle of fear of death and radiation sickness was just starting. For many years the Hiroshima City government announced a list at the end of December of the people who died of radiation sickness that year. The fear of death became especially real in the mind of young Tsukishita after a 12-year-old girl, who was at the same age as Rev. Tsukishita, suddenly died of radiation.
A turning point came in his peace movement when he visited Seoul, Korea in 1981. He was walking at Tapkol Park where the declaration of independence was publicly read on March 1, 1919 by the rising Korean elites. These elites were largely Christians who had been organizing underground national movements in the 1910s and 20s against Japanese occupation. Tsukishita heard a Korean elderly man shouting in Japanese behind him, which made him realize that he was not only a victim of the war but also an offender. For the first time, he saw the other end of the tragedy and started helping Korean Hibakusha, (Japanese for atomic bomb victims) in Hiroshima.
As a young victim of the atomic bomb, Tsukishita’s deep motivation of starting a movement for peace was his determination: no more pain, and no more suffering. However, he has now realized that human power alone is never good enough to build peace. “I feel very sorry for what happened in Fukushima for I couldn’t do anything for them to prevent such a tragedy again.”
This “no more” is very powerful. Wherever we encounter volunteers rising up amongst disaster victims, this common sentiment is the backbone of everything they do. I am again witnessing story after story here in Fukushima from people who now selflessly love their neighbors because there was someone who had gone before them to prepare the way of this sacrificial love.
To help us navigate future direction for transformation of Fukushima, Midori and I decided to learn deeper historical roots and wider social contexts of this nuclear crisis in Fukushima - the largest national crisis in Japan since the WW II. Thus we felt a trip to Hiroshima and Nagasaki seemed like a necessary step before we could move forward, especially for my trip to Chernobyl a few months ago opened our eyes that nuclear crisis is not simply an energy crisis. In Hiroshima, we went to visit a local church whose pastor has been involved in the peace movement for over four decades now.
Hiroshima Tobu Church of United Church of Christ in Japan
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| Children playing at the front yard of the church |
Rev. Tsukishita has been ministering this church for over forty years. American Missionaries from USA who came to work at a women’s mission school started the church in the 1930s, before World War II. After the war when all the American missionaries left Hiroshima, Tsukishita’s father came to this church. Tsukishita was only two years and eight months when the atomic bomb was dropped in Hiroshima. His memory of the disaster comes mostly from what he heard from his brother who was five years old at the time.
The Sun is Falling Down!
The two brothers were playing outside their home on August 6th, 1945 when the older brother said, “The Sun is falling down!” and they were blown away in the heavy wind blowing from the descending bomb. The atomic bomb dropping from the sky looked like a giant red ball, resembling the sun, to the eyes of witnesses on that day. The two children survived that day but the real struggle of fear of death and radiation sickness was just starting. For many years the Hiroshima City government announced a list at the end of December of the people who died of radiation sickness that year. The fear of death became especially real in the mind of young Tsukishita after a 12-year-old girl, who was at the same age as Rev. Tsukishita, suddenly died of radiation.
Growing up with such strong fear, Tsukishita sensed a growing desire in his heart that he wanted to help people remember this tragic historical event. After becoming a minister, he started a peace movement because he wanted to overcome the disaster not by anger and resentment, but with a renewed heart for peace building and reconciliation. He started teaching young people with puppets to help them remind the tragedy of Hiroshima. In addition to this initial peace movement, he also started organizing events and seminars, and prison-visiting ministries.
“Love one another,” the greatest command of Jesus, the ultimate peacemaker.
A turning point came in his peace movement when he visited Seoul, Korea in 1981. He was walking at Tapkol Park where the declaration of independence was publicly read on March 1, 1919 by the rising Korean elites. These elites were largely Christians who had been organizing underground national movements in the 1910s and 20s against Japanese occupation. Tsukishita heard a Korean elderly man shouting in Japanese behind him, which made him realize that he was not only a victim of the war but also an offender. For the first time, he saw the other end of the tragedy and started helping Korean Hibakusha, (Japanese for atomic bomb victims) in Hiroshima.
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| Rev. Tsukishita |
Tsukishita, the seasoned peace activist, says there are two ways of peace: “Pax Romana means simply absence of war, a society quieted by the control of those who have power. It is a reactive peace movement. But the truce peace movement, or proactive peace movement is different. It is not a controlled condition from outside, but it is rather a condition of heart, actively seeking wellbeing of others, by loving them and serving them because Jesus commanded, ‘Love one another.’” In the quiet but assertive voice of Rev. Tsukishita, the power of love and shalom is clear. This is the voice of a wounded healer.
Peace movements aren’t just about creating the loudest noise of “anti-“ campaigns, but rather are about sowing a small seed of sacrificial love or act of service in the heart of the other, according to Reverend Tsukishita. The sacrificial act of loving others starts small like a mustard seed, but it grows large and bears fruit. That’s what he hopes after forty years of quiet, resilient work for peace in his home city, Hiroshima.
No more pain, no more suffering.
As a young victim of the atomic bomb, Tsukishita’s deep motivation of starting a movement for peace was his determination: no more pain, and no more suffering. However, he has now realized that human power alone is never good enough to build peace. “I feel very sorry for what happened in Fukushima for I couldn’t do anything for them to prevent such a tragedy again.”
No More.
This “no more” is very powerful. Wherever we encounter volunteers rising up amongst disaster victims, this common sentiment is the backbone of everything they do. I am again witnessing story after story here in Fukushima from people who now selflessly love their neighbors because there was someone who had gone before them to prepare the way of this sacrificial love.
Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
(John 15”:13)
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| the Old and the New: A-Bomb Dom under renovation |
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| Peace Boulevard in Hiroshima - a rare scenery of urban landscape because most cities are built around narrow streets in Japan. |
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