SUNDAY
There is an old Chinese saying that says: "When in a foreign country, follow the
host." In a sense
the Konko church has done just that since coming to
America. Because there is a tradition of
coming to church on Sundays in this country, we have also adopted this custom
as our day of gathering together as a congregation to join in common prayer,
rituals and fellowship. However, our
religion does not hold to any special day, for every day is special, every day
is important. Our founder, Konko Daijin encouraged us to
pray "...on this very day.." He did not pick out any particular day--but
this very day.
And in keeping with the tenets
of our church, we are, therefore, open to all during the day, seven days a
week. However, because we have chosen to
"..follow the host," we have set aside
Sunday as the day when we gather to pray together. Since our church does not have a tradition of
Sunday worship, and since we are open every day of the
week it would seem that coming to church on Sunday wouldn't make a
difference. But,
it does. An old American expression says
that, "In union there is strength."
That is a powerful statement, and it corresponds exactly to Aiyo Kakeyo, mutual
reliance. And
it is mutual reliance which will keep any organization strong for many
generations to come. When people gather together at the same
time, in the same place, under the same roof, all with a single heart, it is a
sign of spiritual solidarity. The very
fact that so many gather together simultaneously is a
further sign of a deep and abiding group faith.
When we have our garage sale and our bazaar and other
festivals, it is the combined efforts of the many that make these events
successful. That's all well and
good; but we
are not a social club, but a church with a tradition deeply rooted in faith,
and it is faith that has kept this church alive for more than a hundred and
fifty years. And
it was the faith of the original believers (many of whom were your own
ancestors) who traveled long distances--often at great peril to their lives--to
be in the presence of Konko Daijin
himself. Imagine that every time you
come to this church you are coming to visit Konko Daijin, for his spiritual presence is ever among us; and it is to his
ever lasting presence that we humbly bow our heads and pray his prayer of
spiritual unity. Let me suggest you try
the following exercise: From Monday to
Saturday pretend you are on a journey heading toward Konko
Daijin's hiroma, and that
on Sunday you will arrive;
and as you enter let out a sigh and say, Konko
Daijin Sama, I'm home. If you do this wonderful
things will begin to happen to you.
Coming to church on Sundays on a regular basis should not
be a sacrifice, but, instead, a thing of joy and anticipation, for where else
will you find like-minded people who hold the same spiritual values and
traditions as yourself? I dare say you
will not find too many such places. I
stress the importance of coming to church on Sunday because it is also in
keeping with the words of our founder who said: "You should not consider it a hardship
to go to church when it is rainy or windy.
To endure such circumstances helps you to improve spirituality and
enables you to receive divine virtue..."
He further said: "Come to
church for training in faith..Train
yourself well and receive the divine favor at home..."
Let us, therefore, endeavor, to come to church on Sundays,
and fill this worship hall with your family and friends and visitors, and let
our united prayers of benevolence and goodwill vibrate within our hearts,
echoing down to the generations of believers to come.
Thank you
1/21/96 1/21/96