On Suffering & Earthquakes: Itadakimasu

This morning, when I heard of the 8.9 earthquake and tsunami in Japan, the first thing that popped into my mind was the strange phrase, "Itadakimasu." I learned this brief prayer/affirmation from my son's love affair with all things Japanese. At Concordia's language camp a few summers ago, they quietly began each meal with a teacher beginning the responsorial "Sei no," (meaning, roughly, "Altogether now.") The students then chimed in with "Itadakimasu," meaning, "I receive."

So why would I want to highlight a Japanese table grace with regard to the devastation in Japan and other coastal areas? It all has to do with the meaning and management of suffering, a recurring topic of interest in Anglicat's life. I think it is natural for humans to resist or fight off suffering, but that, in fact, does not seem to be Jesus' call to us. Somebody is unfairly imposing a journey of a mile upon you? Well, go two miles with the brute. Somebody hits you on the right check? Well, turn your face, not away from your attacker, but so that your left check can be equally smitten. Yikes. Part of this counter-intuitive embrace of suffering is succinctly shared among our young military enlistees with the wise and practical advice, "Embrace the suck!" In other words, don't waste time and energy fuming at harsh circumstances, whatever their source. The sooner they can be accepted, the sooner they can be transcended.

So how does one deal with all the devastating earthquakes (both real and metaphorical) in our lives? By welcoming them with joy, as if from the Lord Himself (but, of course, they generally are not FROM the Lord, just permitted by Him). Further, we help our brothers and sisters deal with their real and metaphorical earthquakes by embracing the suffering on their behalf, thereby sharing in the suffering of Christ.

Our Japanese brothers and sisters have been served up a tragic meal of suffering this day. Let's help them receive it. Altogether now: Lord Jesus, itadakimasu. This might not be a bad prayer for all of Lent 2011.