“There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’ And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house— for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’”
Luke 16: 19-31
What does it look like to honor our ancestors?
In Japan there is a great emphasis on how we can please or honor those who have passed away before us. That is why people will visit the graves and show honor by bowing, cleaning, and preparing food for those who have passed away.
Today let us consider that maybe the best way to honor our ancestors is to live according to the truth. Christians believe that Jesus truly lived, died, and rose again 2000 years ago. We believe that it is in Christ alone that we can experience true joy and eternal life. If this is true, wouldn’t our ancestors who have seen what is true also want us to experience eternal joy?
It is natural for us to want what is best for those whom we love, and I believe that our ancestors would want nothing more than for us to experience eternal joy in Christ.
Prayer Prompt
真理 と 愛
Pray for the people in Japan to desire to seek truth (真理) and love (愛) for one another. Many times people will minimize the truth in the name of love or they will hurt others in the name of the truth, but God shows us the right way. We are called to love in truth and to speak truth in love. Let us pray that the nation of Japan will see in Christ both truth and love.