心の内なる光を輝かせなさい

アメリカへ旅立つ前に三年間働いていた姉夫婦のところで、又働きだし、一カ月も経たない1973年の一月なかば、「教会にいって、神父に話すように」という心のささやきにうながされ、その日の夕方、さっそく教会へ足を運んだ。

その翌週から、週一回の教項要理の勉強に通い、それと同時に毎朝ミサに行き始めた。ドロレス・ハートに勧められて始めた、自分の過去を整理する過程もどんどん進み、時間が許す限り思いつくままに書き留めたノートも200ページ以上になった。八月の中頃、それを5時間のテープに吹き込み、ドロレス・ハー トに送った。こうして人生を振り返ってみることは、洗礼を受ける準備としても、たいへん役に立った。

色々な出来事、色々な人との出会い、その一つひとつ、その一人ひとりが、いかに自分の人生において、神に向かって歩むようになるきっかけとなり、導きとなったことか…それに気づくにつれ、神の導きの素晴らしさと、不思議さにただ目を見張るばかりだ。洗礼を受ける決心をしたことを両親に打ち明けた時、こころよい承諾を受けたこと自体、神からの恵みとして感謝した。

「神は一つ、自分の選んだ道を忠実に歩み、全心全霊を尽くして幸せになりなさい」

そう母が言ってくれた。この言葉をいつも胸に抱いていさえすれば、力づけられる思いがする。

Let Your Inner Light Shine

After I returned to Japan, I started working for my sister and my brother-in-law again for the time being. About a month after I got back, I was inspired, though in desperation, to go and talk to a priest at Catholic Church in town. From then on, I went to see him every week to receive the instruction on Catholicism.

At the same time, I started attending daily mass in the morning. In less than six months I found a job at the big department store in town. I wanted to have an experience of working with many people other than my own family.

The process of reflection on my life which was recommended by Dolores proceeded gradually as a part of my consideration and preparation to be baptized to become a Christian. By August of that year, I completed the recording of my reflection. So, I made it into five tapes of one hour each, and send them to Dolores. I felt good about accomplishing the task. I also recognized that it was a good learning experience to see how God has been leading me all through my life.

When I talk to my parents about my desire to become a Christian, my parents gave me their blessings and an encouragement. It was my mother who said, “There is one God who created the universe. Our life is like a mountain climbing, we all want to meet God at the top of a mountain. And there is more than one way to climb a mountain. Now you are choosing your way. Do your best and find your own happiness.” With that parents’ blessing, I was baptized on Christmas Eve of 1973.
On this occasion, Abbess, Mother Benedict, suggested me to take “Serena” as my baptismal name. The name represents serenity, same as an Easter lily. Whenever I think of my mother, I also remember what she had said. And it always gives me the strength to go on.