Commemoration Toyohiko Kagawa, April 23

April 23

Commemoration

Toyohiko Kagawa, Renewer of Society, d. 1960

Reflection

Born in 1888 from the union between a member of the Japanese Cabinet and a geisha girl, Toyohiko Kagawa was orphaned at age four. He was disinherited after he embraced Christianity at age 15, having been enrolled in a Bible class to learn English. After a near-death experience, he dedicated his life to serving “God’s children in the slums.” He spent 12 of the next 14 years living in a six-by-six foot hut with his wife in the slums of Kobe, Japan. He organized the first labor union among shipyard workers in Japan, founded the Labor Federation and the Farmers’ Union. He organized the Bureau of Social Welfare and, in 1928 founded the Anti-War League. In 1930 he began the Kingdom of God movement to promote Christianity in Japan.

He wrote: “My real experience of religion came when I entered the Kobe slums. Everything in the slums was ugly: the people, the houses, the clothes, the streets—everything was ugly and full of disease. If I had not carried God beside me, I should not have been able to stay. . . . I assure you that I enjoyed living in the slums. With active love and the love-motive, every moment was full of joy.”

Prayer

Lord God, You planted in your servant Toyohiko Kagawa a fervent desire to relieve the misery of the poor and to establish in the social order the justice, love, and peace of the kingdom of God. Give to your church, we pray, such selfless compassion that we may find joy in the service of others and bring the light of hope where there is resignation and despair. In Jesus’ name. Amen.