Painting by Yasuko Taguchi RSCJ
Yasuko Taguchi RSCJ reflects on our choices today, guided by the words of The Little Prince.
It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.
– from The Little Prince
Long ago, guided by these words, I depicted the scene of the Little Prince and the fox parting ways. The fox, having deepened its friendship with the Prince, stood frozen at the moment of farewell. It was a quiet, poignant, yet warm moment.
The deeper the connection, the more painful the parting.
In the era when war permeated Japanese life, such painful separations tore people’s hearts apart. Reflecting on that history causes my heart to ache.
Is war now creeping back into our daily lives in the same way?
What future will our own choices lead to? Are we truly aware that these choices could bring war closer to our everyday existence?
Recently, I saw a public opinion survey indicating that nearly half of people consider ‘war an option,’ and it filled me with deep unease.
Our lives and our very existence are far too precious to be swept along without any foresight. The Constitution may seem difficult, but it is a promise to protect life.
Can you imagine your family or loved ones going off to war?
Over eighty some years ago, Japan failed to grasp the realities of the time, leading to immense suffering. Encountering such records makes me feel all the more strongly that we must not lose our ability to foresee.
Today, our livelihoods are threatened by soaring prices and tax burdens. Should the Constitution change and steer us towards becoming a nation capable of waging war, military spending would inevitably rise further, placing an even heavier burden on our daily lives.
Quietly, invisibly, our future might be altered. Precisely for this reason, we must look squarely at the present situation and pause to consider what consequences our choices might bring.
“It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.” These words of the fox resonate with new meaning for us today, hoping that awareness will lead to choices that protect the future.
Section |International News
Our Spirituality |Reflections from Around the World
