Speech
God
and the Building of the Kingdom of God --
April 17, 1977
Explanation
In the history of our church there are
two important ceremonies which may not be so well known to Western
members. One is the Resurrection of Shimjung and the other is the
Resurrection of Substance.
It is not necessary to hold a commemorative
service on April 17. It is important, however, to understand the
internal significance of these days for our lives of faith. Just after
Parents Day was established in 1960, True Parents proclaimed the
Resurrection of Shimjung on April 17. This is an extremely significant
day for us. It was the day on which all Unification Church members who
had accepted True Parents inherited the potential to be restored as
sons and daughters of the True Parents on the shimjung level. "If
you believe in me," Father told us that day, "spiritually
you become my sons and daughters on the shimjung level."
Although members may not be aware of it at
the time, they generally pass through the stage of Resurrection of
Shimjung before the Blessing. All of us must begin life again through
True Parents who are the source of our life. We have been living a
false life; therefore, before we enter True Parents' womb, we must
relate to them with absolute love, not through a ceremony or external
ritual.
How is it possible to become a child of the
True Parents? The first stage of developing our relationship with True
Parents is to align our hearts with theirs. A foundation for True
Parents on the earth has already been established; therefore, all
people have the hope of participating in resurrection. Since the Day
of the Resurrection of Shimjung, if a member does his or her absolute
best, loving and completely uniting with the True Parents in heart, he
or she can build a relationship of love with them, as their child.
All Unification Church members benefit from
the proclamation of the Day of the Resurrection of Shimjung whether or
not they recognize it. After the matching and engagement, we
substantially enter the position of adopted child and are
(symbolically) in the womb of True Mother. People pass through the
stage of Resurrection of Substance as they naturally become closer to
True Parents in heart.
After the Resurrection of Shimjung, True
Mother became pregnant with Ye Jin Nim. Through the grace of the True
Children each of us can in heart enter True Mother's womb, i.e., the
Resurrection of Substance. Under this condition, we can resurrect
substantially through the change of blood lineage at our Blessing
ceremony. Our personal resurrection is completed through the Blessing
on the foundation of the True Parents' substantial resurrection
proclamation.
On April 17, 1961, Father proclaimed the Day
of Resurrection of Substance. "If you obey Principle," he
promised us that day, "you become my true Cain-type sons and
daughters." This means True Parents become our true olive tree
and we can engraft ourselves to them.
The 36 Couple Blessing was held on May 15,
1961, directly following the proclamation of the Day of Resurrection
of Substance.
(Excerpt from The Tradition, Book
One)
