MEDITATION TIP —
Fourth Sunday of Lent
March 10, 2024

“God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son” (John 3:16).

　This is a very important statement, but at the same time, many people may find this statement a stumbling block. However, at the same time, many people may feel stumped by these words. They wonder, if God loves the world so much, why is there so much suffering in the world? It was Gandhi who triumphed over the problem of suffering in the world with his non-violent approach. The former colony of India gained independence from the British Empire through a non-violent approach that had never been possible in Western societies before. In his search for the ideal form of the independence movement, Gandhi arrived at the issue of “salt. Salt is a necessity in hot India. Salt is a blessing of nature and can be found anywhere on the coast. However, the British Empire was taxing salt.

　On March 12, 1930, a protest movement called the Salt March began with 78 sympathizers under the scorching sun. For 26 days they picked up lumps of salt all along the 386-kilometer coast, and soon the march swelled to several thousand people. But this act was a violation of the British Empire’s salt manufacturing laws. The crowd did not resist and continued to pick up the salt, even as police forces attacked them with iron bars.

　This idea of Gandhi’s is called “Ahimsa” (non-violence) in Hindi. Ahimsa is not just a denial of violence; Gandhi says, “Ahimsa is love.” Crowds of people were beaten with iron rods, but they did not resist and continued to pick up salt. On the contrary, the violent policemen were even afraid of the crowd that did not resist. They were weaker-minded. On the contrary, nonviolence requires strong will and courage. And when the emotional pain of the person who commits violence outweighs the physical pain of the person on the receiving end of violence, something is born in the heart of the person who commits violence. Gandhi believed that a victory gained through violence is not a true victory. When the oppressed side reciprocates with violence, it falls to the same low level as the other side. Gandhi believed that one should triumph over one’s inner enemies such as fear and anger, forgive the violent opponent, change the opponent with love, and walk along with the opponent. He was a devoted Hindu, but he also knew the Bible well, and I believe that words such as “Do not be defeated by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21) and “Love is patient, love is merciful, love is kind, do not envy...” (1 Corinthians 13:4 and following) were alive in his heart.

　Japanese people think of politics and religion separately, but in India, religion is alive in every corner of life. Regarding economics, Gandhi said, “We must be sure that God has given us everything we need.” We should receive only what we need and not more than that, which is unnecessary, but in reality we do not know how much we really need and try to ask for an unlimited amount. So, he anticipates the “reduction of desire” philosophy of the 21st century by stating, “True economy is not about increasing demand and production, but about prudently and boldly reducing desire.” “Do not lament what you do not have, but rejoice in what you do have, for that is the true sage.” (Epictetus, ancient Greek philoso-pher).

 　　　　　(Contributed by Father Akabae)