MEDITATION TIP —
Second Sunday of Lent
February 25, 2024

“This is my beloved Son” (Mark 9:7)

　Before His Passion, Jesus showed the three disciples a glowing image of Himself, demonstrating that He is the true Savior. This event is called the Transfiguration of the Lord. At that time Jesus heard a voice saying, “This is my beloved Son.” It also means “God is on our side” (Romans 8:31). Jesus was not understood in his missionary work, was slandered by those around him, was betrayed by his beloved disciples, and died a violent death, but he remained true to his beliefs to the very end.

　The words “This is my beloved Son” are no longer just the words of the Heavenly Father to Jesus, but now the words of Jesus to each one of us. Our response to Jesus’ telling us, “This is my beloved child,” because “God is on our side,” is to believe in ourselves, whom Jesus loved. If we do not believe in ourselves, we cannot believe in people or in God. If God loves us, is on our side, and cares for us so much, then we must also care for ourselves, believe in ourselves, and persevere in who we are.

　In this day and age, it is easy to get distracted by the endless waves of information and lose our true sense of self. But as the American thinker Emerson said, “In a world that is constantly trying to change you into something you are not, the greatest achievement is to remain true to who you are.” “The truth is within you,” he said, “so don't follow suit, but always live on the basis of who you are.”

　Osamu Tezuka, the “God of Manga” who created numerous works including “Astro Boy” and “Black Jack,” said, “Believe in others. But believe in yourself a hundred times more. Sometimes you may be betrayed by people you had believed in. At such times, the only way to overcome despair is to have yourself as a strong shield and ally.”

　Astro Boy was the hero of my childhood, and that gentle but nostalgic theme song, “♪ Beyond the sky, la la la, beyond the stars, let’s go Astro Boy, as far as the jet, kind-hearted, la la la, child of science, 100,000 horsepower, Astro Boy ♪” remains vividly and forever in my mind. However, Tezuka’s life was full of suffering. He was betrayed by his close friends, and his works were harshly criticized as outdated, but the “God of Manga” taught us the importance of believing in ourselves and carrying ourselves through to the end. Human beings may have their weaknesses, but when they act on faith and belief, they become very strong.

　Margaret Thatcher, the first female Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, who rebuilt the British economy with her strong faith and was known as the “Iron Lady,” said, “Thoughts become words, words become actions, actions become habits, habits become character, and character becomes destiny.” It all starts with how we think, and even our destiny is changed by changing our way of thinking just a little.

 　　　　　(Contributed by Father Akabae)