Dear AGAC friends,
During my recent flight from Hiroshima to Tokyo, I was fortunate to catch a breathtaking view of Mt. Fuji from the airplane window (see the cover of this newsletter). As you may know, Mt. Fuji is one of the most iconic and revered landmarks in Japanese culture. It is admired not only for its physical grandeur but for its deep emotional and spiritual resonance. I felt as if God were speaking to me personally. This stunning view reminded me of Psalm 121, which is a chosen Psalm for this Sunday. I like especially the first few verses which say:
I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
Whenever I face difficulties, I remember this psalm. These simple verses hold a profound message that resonates in our hearts today as we navigate our personal mountains. I bet I am not the only one who does that. Many of you would cite this psalm as their favourite, I am sure. Psalm 121 is traditionally prayed by pilgrims journeying toward Jerusalem. Lent, likewise, is a season of movement, often through uncertainty, vulnerability, and questioning. This psalm speaks not of escape from danger but of God’s faithful presence along the way.
As your Lenten journey continues, I am inviting you to meditate on this psalm and lift up your eyes to the mountains around us.
Blessings for your journey,
Yukiko
