This is taken from the Sunday Morning Sermon given on August 27, 1995, at Belvedere, NY.

I am very glad to meet you this early morning at Belvedere. I returned at midnight from Korea. I attended the Blessing ceremony in Korea, it was truly an historical event. I arrived in Seoul on August 21 in the early morning. This is the season where often rain or flooding occurs in Korea. However, Father took the day of August 25 for the day of the Blessing. In a way it is gambling on the weather. Because it can be very unpredictable during this time of the year.

As a young child I grew up on my grandfather's farm and I recall this time of year often having lots of rain. It was often difficult for the farmers if there was flooding. Late summer is the time when the rice plant blossoms, if there is heavy rains and flooding it damages the potential crop of rice. Why then should Father choose August 25? Because there were many candidates who are college students. For them, this event has to occur before September 1 and school begins.

When I arrived there was already a lot of rain and my heart was wondering. However, I believe that God is almighty and He is True Love and He will protect us. This strong faith came to my heart. At the airport I saw so many staff members from the World Festival of Culture waiting to meet VIPs; ICUS, PWPA, WFWP, IRFWP and others. After leaving the airport I proceeded to Father and Mother's home to greet them.

One of my cousins, second generation was matched this time. These two families held a joint party for this couple prior to the blessing because immediately following the blessing this couple must go back to school. My cousin is a Pak and he was matched with a member of the Choi family. His fiancee's brother was matched to Dr. Ang's eldest daughter. On the stage there were two couples who were celebrated that evening.

One medical doctor, Dr. Kim has known and taken care of my young cousin from childhood and really loves him. However, when he heard that my cousin was matched by Reverend Moon he was surprised because he holds some very negative image of Father's matching ceremony. He regards my young cousin as a very good student and very kind young man, but Reverend Moon could give just any kind of girl to him in matching and felt so upset about it. He was also invited to attend this celebration party, but after he attended the party he completely changed his opinion. There at the celebration party, he saw two couples on the stage, very fine young people and he completely changed his mind. He told my cousin's mother, Mrs. Pak, how right up until the morning of the celebration he had been so concerned about her son's fate. But after seeing her son's couple and the other couple as well, he felt they were so well matched.

In 1992 one European leader felt that there was something wrong with a matching that Father made at that time. Therefore he took out their pictures and they never knew. This young man and woman submitted their pictures again this time in Alaska. Every 10-20 seconds Father matched one couple and after he discovered the pictures of this couple Father matched them again. Their pictures were in completely different areas, but Father matched them again. Father told that he does not do by himself. He takes hold of one picture and his hand goes to some place else; guided. That means the living God completely joins with Father and matches couples. God and True Father together match each couple.

Our Headquarters Blessing Department, led by Mrs. Betsy Jones, with the staff of Mrs. Lynn Mathers, Mr. Graham Carmichael and Mr. Suh, one second generation brother, helped in Korea and they were so busy. Every night Father was busy matching often from midnight to 2 a.m. They prepared things in the day time hours and then would come back at night during the matching. These four people for over ten days were constantly working day and night in Korea.

Prior to the Blessing ceremony on August 25, many of the good hotels in Seoul were taken over by WCSF conferences. Father and Mother attended these conferences and gave speeches. The atmosphere of these conferences was completely like a family. The world wide participants, the top people in their respective fields, all were very open hearted in their welcome of Father and Mother. It was similar to the atmosphere we have here today. Many of them received the blessing this time.

This time Father matched a Bishop from North Carolina who is a very faithful ICC Christian minister, but his belief in God and True Parents is stronger than ours. This time he requested matching from Father. Father matched him to a Russian sister by she rejected the matching. Again Father took his picture and himself became like a beggar on his behalf asking the Continental Leaders: `Do you have a good candidate for him?" Father himself hunting and begging for this bishop but we had none to recommend. Then Father asked Reverend Kamyiama if he had a candidate for him. Reverend Kamyiama recommended one Japanese sister. Father asked her if she would like to be matched to this bishop and she agreed. Therefore he was matched at the end. This shows Father's determination and seriousness, even to the last moment, to take care of every person.

Two thousand years ago, Jesus went to the cross and one black man, Simon of Cyrene was constrained to help him carry his cross. Jesus witnessed to him as he did on the cross to the good thief. Even up until the very last moment Father always does his best. Even though just one person is left, Father never takes the easy way. Rather he invests all of his heart and effort on that one person's behalf. Please believe how very sincere Father and Mother are on our behalf and we need to appreciate and treasure this blessing.

I cannot recount every episode that took place, but this shows how one by one Father carefully matched. Even at the very last moment, he wanted to give more blessing. There was so much detailed hard work. We therefore need to appreciate the Blessed Family Department members.

All of the WCSF conferences held in Korea at this time were very successful and the Korean media reported them very favorably. Always at these conferences Father's message is always Blessing and Ideal Family. He always teaches this ideal and extends the invitation to attend the Blessing. Do you follow? (Yes) How very important this Blessing ceremony is. The Messiah, True Father and True Mother's top priority is to give the blessing to all the people of the world. Father and Mother are so precious. I brought with me one of Father's sermon's given at the final banquet at the Little Angels Center, the title of this sermon is The True Family and I. This is the speech that Father will give throughout the fifty states of America beginning September 5, 1995. This most important message for the people of the world Father gives in South and North America first of all.

Now I would like to share with you regarding the day of August 25. Two days prior heavy rains were forecast. No hope! (Laughter) Brothers and sisters were mentioning to me that rain would come and what should we do. I encouraged them to believe that a miracle would occur. Father and Mother were not disturbed by the weather forecast, they were peaceful and hard working. At 10 a.m. at the Olympic Stadium all blessing candidates gathered and received the Holy Wine Ceremony and wedding rehearsal. The weather was very humid, wet and rainy. From August 21 through August 25 I wore only sneakers because everywhere was so wet. Shoes would be completely ruined in those conditions. Imagine wearing fine clothing and sneakers. (Laughter)

We were all gathered at the Olympic Stadium on the morning of August 25. Some of our couples were very unique. One sister joined and then witnessed her daughter. She was divorced with one daughter. Mother and daughter they received the blessing at the same time. Doug and Maria Moriarty were blessed this time and her parents came from Australia. The parent couple and the son-in-law and daughter couple attended the Holy Wine and Blessing ceremonies together. Isn't that beautiful? Children's couple and parent's couple together receiving the blessing.

We had heavy rain that morning. However, just prior to the Holy Wine ceremony the rain stopped. That is a miracle, don't you agree? After the Holy Wine ceremony the rain began again. Blessing time was 11 a.m., I arrived at 10 a.m. and found that the parking lot to the stadium was flooded with water. We have a very good connection with the Director of Sports and Culture in the Korean government and he special ordered the streets and every area around the stadium be made available for parking. The stadium was packed with 100,000 people, including Blessing candidates, guests, VIPs, etc. and Father and Mother gave the Blessing. At 11 a.m. it was still raining. I watched the television monitor thinking that all over the world everyone was looking at this scene. During the time of Father and Mother's entrance the rain completely stopped. All of the candidates wore rain coats over their clothes but removed them just prior to True Parents arrival. Without rain coats everyone received the blessing .

The former Speaker of the Korean Congress, Congressman Lee gave the congratulatory speech, as well as the former President of Costa Rica. Especially this Congressman Lee was very impressed and excited by the ceremony and he really praised Father and Mother.

I really have to praise our Preparation Committee in Korea regarding this ceremony. They really did an excellent job. This event was not only the blessing, but also conferences and sports events. But most especially 100,000 people packed in the Olympic Stadium with rain pouring down. The world's eyes were upon us how we were going to manage this situation of thousands of couples and the rain pouring down. But they had it organized and everything ready, couples waiting and then True Parents entered and the rain stopped. One VIP commented that while human beings have their watches, God also has His, meaning that God is also anxious.

Then on August 26 at the breakfast meeting at True Parents house in Seoul, I was asked by True Mother to pray. My prayer was that yesterday you gave to us a modern day miracle, just as 3,500 years ago Moses miracle of dividing the Red Sea. Two thousand years ago Jesus demonstrated so many miracles. Today God, True Father and Mother demonstrated a modern day miracle for us. These VIPs from throughout the world were so inspired.

We very successfully finished the Blessing ceremony and then there were reports in the media. Segye Times had it on the front page. The title read: Historical 360,000 Holy Wedding officiated by the Reverend and Mrs. Sun Myung Moon. Using the satellite broadcast to 160 nations, in over 500 different locations around the world received the blessing. Even at the Seoul Holy Wedding event, 36,000 couples were in attendance. Transcending racial, and national boundaries it was a festival of a global village. The media reported that like blessing from Heaven holy water came down from heaven. Reverend Moon and Mrs. Moon entered to give the declaration of the Holy Wedding and the rain stopped. Even the media reported that 650 journalists from the world media attended. Over 1,000 VIPs attended.

Then here they give a complete biography of Father's life and what he is working for. The sub title reads: Untiring Messenger of Peace. At the age of sixteen he met Jesus Christ and received a mission from God. They reported about Father's imprisonment in North Korea by Kim Il Sung and about Father's life of prayer and meditation. How he fought during the early years under communism. Then later how under dangerous circumstances he visited both Gorbachev and Kim Il Sung and taught Unificationism. His ministry is in 160 nations and how he has begun so many businesses in Korea Japan and America. Also his goal is the accomplishment of God's Will; this means the three great blessings.

Even today in Korea some final events are taking place. August 26-27 is the Sports Festival. This morning I received a call from Korea that the weather is very good today. Jun Suk Nim [Hyun Jin Nim's wife] performed a piano recital, David Eaton performed one Korean symphony, and the Universal Ballet performed.

In Nebraska one of our member's parents wanted to receive the blessing but we were told they cannot go to Denver, Colorado. Therefore we sent one blessed couple to conduct the ceremony for them in their house. Blessing was given all throughout the world.

In Korea every major newspaper made a positive report. CNN International also reported very well. CNN checked throughout the world before giving a report to see if 360,000 were being blessed or not. They checked. They found that it was going on. They have a strong international network. They reported very positively. They interviewed some couples there prior to the ceremony as well. Come rain or shine our Unificationists are grateful. If it is good weather then it is a blessing. However, if we have heavy rain then it is like holy water coming down. This is double blessing. (Laughter) For us everything is blessing.

Just prior to this Blessing ceremony many Japanese media reported quite negatively. However, NHK television in Japan reported very positively. Now, the media recognize 360,000 couples means 720,000 people. They cannot deny. So they have to report honestly. That is the reality. Also families and relatives and people of the general public in great numbers were involved in this ceremony. They cannot deny it. World media have to report honestly now. Prior to the Holy Wedding many members of the media from Japan came to our Headquarters checking what was going on. The headquarters public relations people had such a difficult time.

From now on we need really hard work. Would you like that festival held in America? We would become hosts for this event. We need to make a commitment. Father has already announced the next blessing ceremony. That means from today we need to begin preparation, one year is not long enough. We need to begin from today. Dr. Hendricks and I learned a lot through this blessing. We can make it. This time many ICC ministers attended the blessing. Especially in the Chicago area. August 25 blessing ceremony has finished. But for the ICC ministers and African churches we need to keep up the blessing education. At that time who can become matchmaker? No only Father alone. Maybe even Reverend Pak as well. You also.

Unificationists do very excellent work for events, but our weakness is in aftercare. We are all committed for the event of August 25 Blessing and then afterwards we just forget. September 6 Father will come to New York and speak in front of 1,200 and we are hardworking to bring them there, but then we forget all about them. We are very weak in aftercare. What God and True Parents are doing for America through this speaking tour is aftercare. Father is always telling us this speech is the last and he will not come again. But he does, that's Father's heart. Really, Father has sacrificed too much for America, invested too much in America. God tells him no more now. But still True Father and True Mother's heart always extends towards us. Father and Mother's help is too big and our response is too little. Is that good or not?

We need all the help in this area. We cannot relax. Hand in hand we have to work together again. Already we begin for the 1998 blessing. Because of the Completed Testament Era, it is easier for everyone to pass through the gate of the blessing. Because of this we succeeded August 25 blessing. We now need after care. This means newly blessed couples need education, and support, assisting them in understanding the value of the blessing.

Between Korea and America we have different systems for entering University. In Korea it is very difficult to enter University and so preparation begins in elementary school. Day and night children need to study. It is a very narrow gateway they have to pass through in order to enter university in Korea. After they become university students they completely relax, begin drinking and going to disco bars and demonstrating in the streets. That is the lifestyle of universities in Korea. World wide quality of Korean Universities is C class. However, in America in junior and senior high school they relax and go on vacation as well as study. It is much easier in America to enter into universities. However, once they enter it is very tight. If they don't achieve academically they cannot graduate. Which style is better? Usually our Unification Church blessed couples have gone the tough course of indemnity; MFT, witnessing etc. for ten years and then they receive the blessing and relax. Then they tell you not to pressure them as they already gave enough. (Laughter) Which way is better then?

Many of the couples in this 1995 blessing passed easily through the gate of the blessing. Actually, we should pay more attention on their behalf. That is our responsibility. We need to support, guide and embrace them.

My final conclusion is that all throughout America, brothers and sisters, you worked so hard. I very much appreciate all of you. But we cannot relax we need to continue education, and from September 5 Father and Mother's fifty state tour will begin. We need to make this a success. Please try and do your best. Our destiny is always hard working and hard sacrifice. From now on we walk hand in hand. Father trusts us and so he will visit fifty states. Let us make this victory together.

God is powerful. Don't you agree? (Yes) Imagine 2,000 years ago if an Emperor or former Emperor had become a working partner with Jesus and the Holy Spirit it would have been the dream of God. But True Parents have brought the victory. Jesus received miserable persecution in his lifetime, but True Father and Mother have won over this persecution.

My topic this morning was Victory of Blessing. What is the meaning of Blessing? We have three meanings: Old Testament view of blessing, New Testament view of blessing and Divine Principle view of blessing. The Old Testament view of blessing is assurance, everything going well. God created this universe and He expected the creation to go on very well and reach to perfection. Just as in a car factory they complete the assembly of one car, what is these workers blessing for this newly made car? Working and going on very well. This is very much the Old Testament view of blessing.

Jesus Christ used Greek blessing [344] which means joy and happiness. Blessing means source of joy and happiness. They cannot find the source of true joy and so they become involved in alcohol, tobacco, drugs and all manner of immorality. The true source of joy is God. Through the mediator of True Parents we receive the true source of joy. True source of love is True Love. If we receive True Love we respond with joy and gladness. Joy refers to spiritual happiness and gladness refers to physical happiness. Combined into one and continuously working together means continuous happiness.

Divine Principle point of view blessing is centered on True Love. Heaven refers to God combined with all things in love. This results in joy and happiness also. This means the Blessing. Someone who received the blessing means we need a joyful attitude. From now our all Unificationists, entire blessed couples here we need to have a joyful attitude. Blessed couples often hold a negative attitude but we need to hold a joyful attitude centered upon True Love and express it through a joyful life. We brought the victory of blessing, we own the heavenly blessing. True Parents' most important gift is the heavenly blessing bestowing upon us true love, eternal life and pure lineage. As such people we express joy.

After Jesus Christ was crucified and brought victory through the resurrection and victorious ascension, the Christians became such joyful people. The gospel of Luke and in the book of Acts it describes their joy. Do you follow? (Yes) Therefore my conclusion is that everyone needs to smile and have a joyful heart and spirit. After leaving here shake hands with one another very joyfully. (Amen)

Please stand up. Our dear national leader Dr. Hendricks worked very hard. We need to appreciate him. (Applause) Our church leaders need to give one another a big hand. (Applause) Also our very faithful, sincere and loyal brothers and sisters give each other a hand. (Applause) Let us pray.

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