SATURDAY, August 6

I commend the author on the insight and beauty conveyed in the meditations provided this month. They speak to me in their eloquence, simplicity, and the ability to provoke thoughtful reverence while showing us ourselves, with our questions and frailties, still acceptable to God. Please keep writing. Thank you.

Whereas we Calendar-oriented Christians think of August 6th as the Day of Our Lord's Transfiguration, the Secular World reminds us that in 1945 the U.S. (the land of my adoption) dropped the First two Atomic Bomb upon humans - on August 6th on the City of Hiroshima, and 3 days later, August 9th on the City of Nagasaki! In graphic contrast to God's action in Our Lord's Transfiguration, 66 years ago, August 6th became the Day of "Disfiguration"! How ironic, that 3 days later the 2nd atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki - the first place where Japanese people were introduced to Our Lord Jesus Christ by Jesuits of Portugal led by Ignatius Loyola!
During WW II the most highly decorated American Soldiers were those of Japanese ancestry - another irony! These young men declared their loyalty by their flesh and blood. Yet we of Japanese heritage in the USA and Canada were treated as "enemy aliens" and during the war years were "interned" and sent into "concentration 'camps' ".
The 3-day gap between the dropping of the two nuclear bombs, reminds me that on the last Sunday of Epiphany, the Gospel that speaks of the Transfiguration is read! Three days later, we observe Ash Wednesday! The 2nd atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki - the city which probably had the most Christians living in Japan in 1945.
We are reminded in the Bible that there will be wars and rumors of wars in our world of persons!
Let us always thank God that our Lord Jesus was wonderfully Transfigured on the holy mountain --- and be grateful for the words of today's meditation in FORWARD DAY BY DAY!!

Thank you for the reminder, Timothy. Often we Christians get caught up in our religiosity and neglect to be the salt of the earth or beacons of light. We often cause pain and hurt when we should minister healing and help. Jesus came as the Prince of Peace, teaching and preaching and healing. For those who meditate on the mysteries of God or bask in the presence of the Prince of Peace, a response is required. Then, depending upon our response, "we too become children of light and a light to the world."

The Rev. Canon Nakayama's thoughtful message is worthy of our deepest reflection and consideration.
It softly, but grimly, reminds us how imperfect we mortals are, how often we are given chances to "learn lessons". Yet, it gives us a point from which we can go forward in renewed resolve, to wage peace among ourselves instead of war and killing.
Thank you also, Canon, for your reminder about Nagasaki's role in the Christian history of your homeland and about the poorly recognized roles of Japanese Americans in that War.
"Earth is only a temporary residence. You won't be here long, so don't get too attached." - Rick Warren

Thank you so much for taking today's reflections so much further than I could in the original word limit. The transfiguring / disfiguring of light is a powerful image to consider. And when we come to the feet of Christ, like Peter, James and John, we bring not only our individual failings, but also the failings of a wounded world, in which light has turned to a force of darkness and destruction.