In feudal Japan, “samurai” referred to a “retainer.” That’s someone who accompanied a lord, had pledged fealty to that lord, and served that lord in close attendance. Samurai means, essentially, “to wait upon the lord.”
Though different in some ways, it would not be wrong to think of a samurai as a knight.
The Hagakure is a Japanese book that captures the warrior code of the samurai known as “Bushido.” It’s a practical and spiritual guide for the warrior. It has been said of Bushido that, even today, it is Japan, that it captures the heart of all that truly matters to its culture.
So, is everyone in Japan a warrior? Well, no. But in their worldview, everyone is either a lord or a retainer. There are few lords and many retainers. A book delving into what makes one the ideal retainer could easily be the heart of that culture. What is it about this book—on the surface about warriors—that makes it the cultural guide for almost everyone in Japan?
It’s surprisingly simple: Everyone, from the most skilled to the least, can hold a place of honor in the culture. To quote the Hagakure: "Even a person who is good for nothing and exceedingly clumsy will be a reliable retainer if only he has the determination to think earnestly of his master."
If only the one-talent servant in this week's Matthew selection had been able to access the Hagakure. Perhaps if he had been keeping his mind fixed on what was best for his master, he would have made a better choice concerning the one talent he had.
Why does it matter to us?
When we stop focusing on what could go wrong, and instead focus on what God intended for us to do with our talents—even if we feel it’s just one talent—we should be able to make the wise choice.
We need only think earnestly of our master.
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PHOTO (Samurai Warrior in armor and more about Bushido):
https://www.kosmosjournal.org/kj_article/samurai-spirit/
More about the Hagakure:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/277950.Hagakure
Some interesting reading about Japan’s most popular (fictional) samurai, “Lone Wolf and Cub”:
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DaySpring’s Lectionary Breakfast is a fun and interesting way to start the weekend. We dig into the scriptures for the coming Sunday, ask questions and seek their relevance for our lives. Join us Friday morning at 8:00 on Zoom** and in person at Our Breakfast Place. It’s an hour like no other.
Blessings,
Steve
**Contact me for the Zoom link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89947678414
NOTE: Zoom allows you to mute the camera and the microphone if you don’t wish to be seen or heard.
SCRIPTURES FOR SUNDAY AND THE COMING WEEK
Find them here:
https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/texts.php?id=169
Print them from here:
https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/pdf//Ax_Proper28.pdf
Judges 4:1-7
Psalm 123
Zephaniah 1:7, 12-18
Psalm 90:1-8, (9-11), 12
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
Matthew 25:14-30
Proper 28 (33) (November 19, 2023)
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