Ep 708 - World Peace and the Role of Women 3 Part 1
World Peace and the Role of Women I - October 3, 2022
PDF Printable Text and Images + Testimony Peeter and Mieko Saarna
Key Points
The International Marriage Blessing Ceremony of 30,000 couples was a panorama of love and the most substantial example in history showing that the world is one family centering on world peace and God's love.
The fact that I have met the Messiah means that my ancestors have already paid that much indemnity. We should thank heaven and our ancestors who have brought us to this point today.
The purpose of fulfilling my responsibilities is to make me a true person.
To fulfill my responsibilities I must be able to discern good and evil through prayer, sincere devotion, and constant meditation on the Word, to live with steadfast righteousness and to have an ambitious, hopeful, and spontaneous heart.
A life of righteousness is a life that sets unchanging standards and continues without becoming fickle under any circumstances.
In the Cheon Il Guk era we receive salvation through our responsibility because True Parents have shown the victorious model course. Without being dependent on anyone, we need to resurrect our heart on our own, always create harmonious relationships, and live as an owner of love.
We need to cherish those closest to us.
Abel greets others first.
A life of faith is knowing that you are precious, knowing that the Father is precious because you are precious, and reversely, knowing that you are precious because the Father is precious.
Those who value themselves also value others.
Transcripts from November 3, 2021 to the present, personal notes from November 11, 2020 until November 2, 2021 and slides from August 29, 2021 to the present are available at MD.Hoondok.com as PDF files.♦
Wow! Mrs. Murphy joined from the UK! Her face is so beautiful.
Yesterday, we had a Family Reunion Special Sunday Service to honor True Father’s Legacy at Robert Treat Hotel in Newark, New Jersey. Almost 900 people attended the service. It was so beautiful and warm, a very heartistic atmosphere. I was so moved to see my brothers and sisters, some I have not seen until now. Also, many young and second generation joined us and supported (the service). It was really a beautiful event.
Participants who came early had a chance to offer flowers to True Father, and representatives also offered flowers to True Father.
We also watched several videos regarding the lives of True Father and True Mother. We also enjoyed wonderful performances by the Clifton Band – Song Hwa (?) leading the band was very good – the Elizabeth choir, the KEA drum team, and Japanese members. Beautiful!
I gave a keynote address with title of “Who is True Father to me?”
Resfred – this guy! – did a wonderful job as the MC, and President Naokimi introduced several programs of the Clifton Family Church. He is the one who organized everything in detail.
Mariko Arthur, our MC Resfred’s mother, offered a very beautiful song with lyrics of Crown of Glory which is the poem that True Father wrote. Katarina read True Mother’s letter to True Father very beautifully.
Michael McDevitt’s testimony about Father was really beautiful. I cried after hearing the testimony. I think many (present) had the same feeling, right?
Our youth performed the Moo Jo Geon Dance, Then we celebrated with a cake and did three cheers of Og Man Sei.
We took a group photo. (The room) was fully packed; some people could not find chairs.
Also, Rev. Jenkins’ couple came all the way from Washington, D.C. Their couples is so dedicated! Dr. Rouse and some ACLC ministers also joined us.
Today I’d like to talk about “World Peace and the Role of Women 3” from True Mother’s Anthology, Book 2.
<This speech was given at the founding rally of the Women's Federation for World Peace in Japan and at rallies between September 24 and October 6, 1992 for Koreans residing in Japan> Respected guests, members of the Women's Federation for Peace in Asia, ladies and gentlemen: On this occasion, as we approach the Women's Federation for World Peace seven-city speaking tour, I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude to all of you who have helped make this evening a success. On September 17 of last year I came to Tokyo as the principal speaker at the national rally held by the Women's Federation for Peace in Asia. Since that rally, this organization has received tremendous support in Japan and around the world and has accomplished remarkable growth. On November 20, the first Women's Federation for Peace in Asia rally was held in Seoul, with 15,000 representative Korean women in attendance.
Then, on April 10 of this year, more than one hundred fifty thousand women from 72 countries filled the Seoul Olympic Stadium beyond capacity to express their strong desire for world peace. That rally, the largest women's rally ever held, inaugurated the Women's Federation for World Peace. I have nothing except the highest words of praise for your strong dedication and hard work in bringing about such remarkable growth in this movement. Following that international rally, I toured 81 cities in Korea and continued my lectures on the topic of Women's Role in the Ideal World. Everywhere I went, people gathered in numbers so large as to resemble the clouds of heaven. In all, I received the welcome and support of more than a million Korean women. The enthusiasm of these women clearly illustrated that women possess an unlimited capacity to contribute to future world peace.
In only eight years we will enter the twenty-first century. We are witnessing the passing of the era of brute force, in which men have held almost exclusive sway. This era has been tainted by war, violence, exploitation and destruction. In the new era we are about to enter, women will have the central role in leading humanity into love, forgiveness, harmony and cooperation. My tour was an opportunity to bring this important realization to the people of Korea. Women need to come to a new realization of their original, God-given role and become cornerstones for peace, happiness and freedom. The only way for us to build peace in each of our nations and in the world is to build true families, that is, families confirmed in true love.
The International Marriage Blessing Ceremony of 30,000 couples in Seoul on August 25 of this year validated the fact that world peace can be brought into reality through ideal families. This ceremony, held as a part of the first World Culture and Sports Festival, was a historic declaration opening the gate to world peace. It was a giant panorama of love testifying that humankind is one family, and that a kindred tie centering on God's love unites the world as one. On that day, my husband and I, in our capacity as the True Parents, gave the Blessing of eternal love to some 60,000 brides and grooms from 131 countries. At this magnificent festival of love held under the bright sunshine and azure sky, each bride and groom made his or her pledge to establish true families and a world of true peace before God, True Parents and all humanity.
The International Marriage Blessing Ceremony of 30,000 couples on August 25, 1992 validated the fact that world peace can be brought into reality through ideal families.
This ceremony was a historic declaration opening the gate to world peace. It was a giant panorama of love testifying that humankind is one family, and that a kindred tie centering on God's love unites the world as one.
The International Marriage Blessing Ceremony of 30,000 couples was the most substantial example in history showing that the world is one family centering on world peace and God's love. True Parents' blessing ceremony was not a wedding for one individual, but a representative example for the peace of humankind.
Even looking at one example of this international marriage blessing, we cannot deny that True Parents are the ones who came to bring about peace for humankind.
This is incredible. No saints, no sages, no person has (ever) done this kind of job. How can we deny our True Parents’ role?
LIVING DIVINE PRINCIPLE: The Fall - 2. The Tree of Life (1)
Yesterday I emphasized: are you a tree of life or are you a tree of death? Life gives birth to life. Are you alive or dead? One who has life always develops, grows and multiplies. If you are dead, then you can not multiply and grow and develop.
The tree of life we are learning today means the perfected Adam. Whether we are asleep or awake, our wish is to become a Perfected Adam. In other words, our lifetime wish is to become a true person, a true self. That is our final goal.
• According to the Bible, the hope of fallen people is to attain the tree of life. In Prov. 13:12, the Israelites of the Old Testament Age looked to the tree of life as their hope. Likewise, in Rev. 22:14, the hope of all Christians has been to approach and partake of the tree of life.
The hope of fallen people is to attain the tree of life. However, as they all became the tree of death due to the fall, they must be engrafted to the one who has life. Therefore the fallen people should meet the Messiah who is the substance of life. Because the fallen people became the tree of death due to the fall, they must inevitably pass the way of rebirth through the Messiah.
• However, in Gen. 3:24, it is written that when Adam fell, God blocked his path to the tree of life by stationing the cherubim with a flaming sword to guard it. From this, we can also deduce that the hope of Adam before the fall was the tree of life.
• Adam was cast out of the Garden of Eden without having attained his hope, the tree of life. For fallen people ever since, the tree of life has remained a hope unfulfilled.
The only way for the fallen people to remove the flaming sword and move forward is to establish the foundation to meet the Messiah while risking their lives in a matter of life or death.
They must establish the foundation of faith and the foundation of substance to meet the Messiah through indemnities.
The fact that I have met the Messiah means that my ancestors have already paid that much indemnity. Therefore, we should give thanks to heaven and our ancestors who have brought us to this point today.
What Is Blocking the way for Fallen man to Remove the Flaming Sword and Move Forward?
1. It is sexual immorality and fallen nature.
2. So, the key is knowing how to remove the flaming sword. The most important thing is to experience the Holy Spirit. The beginning of Christianity was started and developed by experiencing the Holy Spirit.
3. So, what are specific ways to get rid of the flaming sword?
a. You need to meet God’s truth
Without knowing the Divine Principle how can we get rid of the flaming sword?
b. You need to meet the Messiah
c. You need to experience Holy Spirit and rebirth by Blessing
d. You need to go the way of indemnity.
... Not just receiving blessing. You need to follow the formula course together with the messiah.
e. You need to follow the pattern of Messiah and get victory.
The way to remove the flaming sword is to cross the valley(?value?) of the top of the growth stage, receive the Blessing and rebirth, and enter into God’s direct dominion, the realm of perfection.
TODAY’S YOUTH MINISTRY: The Age of Love is the Age of Salvation through One's Responsibility
A Life of Faith Must Be Righteous
1. Our life of faith must be a righteous life. Each of us must know well what and how we will be responsible for our position. And even when adversity comes, we must know what is right and what is wrong. Also, we must find and establish righteousness in our lives. A life of righteousness is a life that sets unchanging standards and continues without becoming fickle under any circumstances. Therefore, you must find the unchanging standard of righteousness, set it in your spirit and live a life of determination. We have to live with the point of righteousness whether we are suffering or happy. Next, in terms of heart, I must always be centered on my heart, and my heart must be ambitious, hopeful, and spontaneous. In other words, you have to go on the course that your original mind desires, not because someone tells you to. If we are alive, each of us has a responsibility to resurrect our own hearts.
How will I fulfill my responsibilities in my given position? First of all, the purpose of fulfilling my responsibilities is to make me a true person. In fulfilling my responsibilities as a true person, the most important thing is to have a sincere attitude of heart no matter what.
Recently I have emphasized so much about sincerity. I realize again and again how important it is.
Second, even when adversity comes, we must understand what is right and what is wrong. Often, when faced with adversity, most become confused and unable to distinguish between good and evil. Therefore, we must be able to discern good and evil through prayer, sincere devotion, and constant meditation on the Word.
Third, our life of faith must be a righteous life.
You know why Noah is a righteous man.
A life of righteousness is a life that sets unchanging standards and continues without becoming fickle under any circumstances.
Can you imagine, Noah did not miss a single day. He went to the top of a mountain and built a boat. It was not a simple matter. (It was) not just one year, not only two years, (but) 120 years keeping that kind of standard, a righteous condition.
Therefore, you must find the unchanging standard of righteousness, set it in your spirit and live a life of determination. What is your standard of righteousness? Do you have a standard of righteousness to attend Hoondokhae every morning?
This morning one couple in Minnesota shared that they attend hoondokhae every morning. This is a standard of righteousness no matter what. Our Steve Jares from Las Vegas needs to wake up at 3 a.m. to join Morning Devotion (without missing) a single day! What kind of standard of righteousness do you have?
Do you have a standard of righteousness to write a gratitude journal every day? Do you have a standard of righteousness to set a time for daily prayer and sincere devotion? Do you have a standard of righteousness to tithe every month regardless of circumstances?
You need to have that standard of righteousness. Of course, I do prayer, Morning Devotion, then appreciation. If possible, no matter how busy I am, in order to keep my good health, I try to do exercise every day. Of course, sometimes there is no time, so I have no choice. (Then) I just do some small exercises in my room. I want to keep that kind of standard of righteousness.
I want to inherit from Noah, Abraham, all central figures. Why do we call them central figures? Why does Heavenly Father calls them chosen guys? Because they have a certain standard of righteousness. (With such) conditions, even God and the spiritual world sympathize with you. Keeping the standard of righteousness is one of the jeongseongs, one of the sincere conditions. They are important for (maintaining) your life of faith.
A bad habit is a bad habit, but if you keep good habits, (you can) keep the standard of righteousness. They are really important for you to become a good guy.
Next, in terms of heart, I must always be centered on my heart, and my heart must be ambitious, hopeful, and spontaneous. In other words, I am motivated to do everything not because someone tells me to, but because my heart evokes (arouses? stimulates?) itself spontaneously.
The Age of Love is the Age of Salvation Through One's Responsibility
2. Now, the age of salvation through someone else has passed. The present age is the age of salvation through individual responsibility. Therefore, in this age of love, we must reflect on whether we have lived an ambiguous or worthless life until now. What values do I really live by? Who am I really and what kind of original nature am I living with? I must always check whether my attitude is heartistic, ambitious, and spontaneous. A person who needs to revive their heart cannot lead an irresponsible life. The next step is to live a life of practicing love and not clash with others in your relationships. We tend to become indifferent to our closest brothers and sisters. Even if we live together, we should not be indifferent to each other.
In the Old Testament age, people were saved by keeping the law, the commandments. In the New Testament age, they were saved through faith. However, in the age of love, people become representatives of True Parents as owners of Cheon Il Guk and are not saved by anyone. Of course, by True Parents. The Old Testament Age and the New Testament Age were the age of the servant and the age of the adopted son, respectively.
However, the present age is the age in which one receives salvation through one’s responsibility because True Parents have shown the victorious model course. In other words, it is the age of becoming the master by taking responsibility on your own in the age of love. This is not the age to depend on anyone. This is the time to reflect on yourself and take responsibility by checking whether your attitude is truly heartistic and ambitious.
In the age of love, you have to resurrect your heart by yourself. You must resurrect your heart on your own, always make harmony in human relationships, and live as an owner of love.
“As the owner of Cheon Il Guk” means what? As the owner of love.
True Parents already showed us everything. They showed their example and asked us what kind of responsibility we should (take on). They have done their job completely. (Now) I need to do my own job. In the end who saves you? Even though True Parents have given the Blessing and shown (us) the model. I need to (save) myself. We are not living in the Old Testament Era and New Testament Era. We are living in the age of love. We need to take ownership of everything. As the owner of Cheon Il Guk you are the owner, not a servant, not a step son. You are a true son or daughter. We are living in that kind of era. Nobody can help you because you are the owner, not a servant.
“I am the owner of true love. I am responsible for everything.”
We need to know that the age of love is the age of salvation through my own portion of responsibility.
Cherish Those Close to You
3. You should cherish the people closest to you. You really should always be nice to each other. When you wake up in the morning, the first thing you need to do is greet each other. We must make movements of love, live with love, and practice love. You shouldn't be ambiguous in your life. Once you understand the Word, you must distinguish between right and wrong. It must be motivated by a voluntary heart. Also, if you have the heart of the Word, you must bring harmony among your brothers and sisters living together. If you are with your brothers and sisters but don't get close, you can see how ambiguous your relationship is with them. Those who value themselves also value others. After all, a life of faith is knowing that you are precious, knowing that the Father is precious because you are precious, and reversely, knowing that you are precious because the Father is precious.
Cherish Yourself
4. In the parent-child relationship, the father values his children more. Parents care more about their children than they do about themselves. Therefore, from the child’s position, valuing oneself results in valuing the parents. Therefore, you must be a trustworthy child for your parents. Otherwise, it is easy to lose your worth. Here everyone seems to know himself well from a common-sense standpoint, but he ignores himself in real life. You should take responsibility for yourself, be happy about what you do, and value yourself, but people forget this. How does True Father lead a life of faith? He does everything thinking it is he who must do it, otherwise it won’t work out. “Without me, this world will perish, and God will be in big trouble.” In this way, Teacher (True Father) regards himself as absolute.
The important thing in a life of practicing love is not to clash with each other in human relationships. We tend to become indifferent to our closest brothers and sisters.
Therefore, you should cherish those closest to you. You really should always be nice to each other. When you wake up in the morning, the first thing you need to do is greet each other.
Who is Abel? Whoever greets first.
Among family members sometimes there is no greeting, even no response.
“Ohio gesayimas.” “Angyang hashimnika.” Who does it first? That person is surely Abel. In the church the person who greets you first is surely Abel. The Abel-type person always greets first. Among family members how can you know (who is Abel)? Whoever greets first. We need to have a competition: who greets first. This kind of attitude and mindset is very important. Greet first.
The person who greets first always takes precedence in terms of heart.
We must make movements of love, live with love, and practice love. In conclusion, first, we must always have the heart of the Word and have a driving force with a voluntary heart.
Second, you must bring harmony among your brothers and sisters living together. If you are with your brothers and sisters but don't get close, you cannot lead a life of love.
This is important. Those who are closest to you, you (need to) love them (the) most.
I am so grateful. I am living with my brother’s son-in-law, our Dataa(?), our Yan(?). Every morning I see them. They are so precious to me. Thank God, I have a chance to live with them!
Every morning I meet our heavenly Greene’s couple in front of the elevator. They are so precious to me!
In your family living with your wife or husband, with your children, how precious they are! If you do not treat those who are close to you preciously, how can you have a proper life of faith with other people? It is impossible. That is why you need to love the closest person most: your husband, your wife, your children, your own father and mother, your own staff. The problem comes from the closest person. How close Adam and Eve should have been! Why did Noah’s family fail? Not from the outside, not with a neighbor, not with the nation. (The problem was) in his family, the relationship between Noah and his wife, between Noah and his sons.
What was wrong with Abraham’s family and everywhere? (The problem starts) in the family with the closest person. That is why you need to serve the closest person as God.
Why do central figures fail? Look at Jesus’ family. (The problem started in) the relationship between Mary and Joseph, between Mary and Jesus. All problems come from the closest person. Where can we find God? In the closest person – between mind and body, between husband and wife, between parents and children, between Cain and Abel.
All problems arise from the relationship between siblings. Problems always arise (among those who are) closest to us. Those who value themselves also value others.
After all, a life of faith is knowing that you are precious, knowing that the father is precious because you are precious and reversely knowing that you are precious because the father is precious.
That is why the closest person is your God.
If you fail in the relationship with the closest person, you can fail (anywhere).
Today I talked about “The Age of Love is the Age of Salvation through One's Responsibility.”
(Testimony Peeter and Mieko Saarna, Kansas State Leader, Peace Road)♦
NOTE: This text and the PowerPoint slides from this speech are available as a link at the top of this text. Transcripts from November 3, 2021 to the present, personal notes from November 11, 2020 until November 2, 2021 and slides from August 29, 2021 to the present are available at MD.Hoondok.com as PDF files. Books of the transcripts and notes are available as PDFs at MDBooks.Hoondok.com.
This lightly edited transcript may contain errors and omissions. Indecipherable, inaudible or uncertain words and guesses are tagged with a “(?)” and indecipherable phrases, with an ellipsis “...”. First, second and third person pronouns have been left as spoken if the meaning is clear, and other apparently Korean English expressions have been preserved if understandable. Some repeated phrases have been eliminated.
Audio only is available at anchor.morndev.com, spotify.morndev.com & audio.morndev.com. Notes or transcripts of Dr. Yong’s Morning Devotion speeches from November 11, 2020 through March 29, 2022 are available as six paperback books at cost at Lulu.com/Shop -- search for Dr. Chung Sik Yong -- and as complimentary PDF downloads at MDBooks.Hoondok.com.♦