In Memory of Sun Jeong Hong, a Victorious Son

Please Ascend to Heaven! The Revered Sun Jeong Hong has begun his eternal journey with True Parents’ prayers and blessings. Last night, True Mother summoned me and asked me to deliver a memorial address during the Wonjeon Ceremony; accordingly, I would like to offer this address for Rev. Hong today. I would like to begin by thanking the family of the deceased and all the members who have been with Rev. Hong to the end.

In Ecclesiastes 12:7, it is written “and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.” In Cheon Seong Gyeong, it is written, “I have no fear of death. The Fall brought about death, so religion should create the realm of resurrection.

Based on the Day of Victory of Love, we could begin holding the Seunghwa (ascension) Sun Jeong Hong, True Mother’s maternal uncle Ceremony. Also on that condition, we could call the burial site the ‘wonjeon,’ which means ‘original palace.’ This is not about dying but about direct passage to the kingdom of heaven. This palace is a link from the earthly nation to the heavenly nation. That is the meaning of ‘wonjeon.’ There is no religion in the world with anything like it other than the Unification Church.”

Rev. Hong’s life

Today, we have solemnly gathered at Korea’s National Cemetery for the Wonjeon Ceremony of Rev. Sun Jeong, Hong the victorious son who returns to heaven, and his wife, Gye Sun Chae, who ascended earlier. Rev. Hong was born in 1922 and throughout the ninety-five years he lived on earth, he accumulated achievements that cannot be replicated by the average person even if that person were to be born repeatedly tens of thousands of times. This is because not only did Rev. Hong contribute greatly to his family, society and nation but also because Rev. Hong contributed greatly to the providence of restoration, to the point where Koreans and people everywhere, including the spirit world, should sing his praises and learn about his life.

Rev. Hong’s Seunghwa Ceremony

His providential deeds

In the grand providence of the returning Messiah, Rev. Hong was born as the son of grandmother Cho Won Mo, the first generation in the three generations with only one girl-child. He was the younger brother of Soon-ae Hong (Dae-mo nim) and the maternal uncle of True Mother, who was born as God’s only begotten daughter. Rev. Hong invested himself wholeheartedly to protect and love True Mother as well as help make possible True Parents’ Holy Wedding. Since their advent on earth, True Parents have worked to bequeath true love, true life and true lineage to all fallen human beings. Rev. Hong’s wholehearted contributions to this providence mean his achievements will be remembered for eons in the annals of Cheon Il Guk.

Based on his achievements, when Rev. Hong’s earthly life ended, True Parents blessed him with the calligraphic message, “The victorious son who returns to the Heavenly Palace.” As a blessed member, Rev. Hong also received the grace and honor of a national-level Seonghwa Ceremony before he embarked on a three-day course [to prepare for ascension to Heaven]. During this three-day course, Rev. Hong became an even holier spiritual being. We are hosting today’s Wonjeon Ceremony at the end of this three- day course.

Mr. Hong and his wife with True Parents on his birthday

His mission in heaven

Looking at all his incredible achievements, we could have held the Wonjeon Ceremony for Rev. Hong at the church Wonjeon in Paju, but we are hosting the Wonjeon (burial ceremony) here because yesterday, True Mother spoke to me of Heaven’s greater providence in our doing so. First, there is Heaven’s providence to send Rev. Hong as the commander of a thousand spiritual armies that will protect the Republic of Korea. Hyunchoongwon is the Republic of Korea’s National Cemetery; the people buried here are carefully selected. This is a hallowed place where patriots who sacrificed themselves for Korea, the Third Israel, are laid to rest.

Rev. Sun Jeong Hong received the Chungmu Order of Military Merit, as an army colonel and the Cheon Il Guk calligraphic message “The victorious son who returns to the heavenly palace.” Laying Rev. Hong to rest here will not only further sanctify the National Cemetery, it will enable Rev. Hong to awaken the patriots of this nation and organize them into a heavenly force that will directly support the earthly providence and help overcome national crises. This is the reason True Mother blessed Rev. Hong as commander of a thousand spiritual armies.

Spiritual armies

Second, there is the providence to become the commander of a thousand spiritual armies that will protect True Mother and the True Family. True Mother mentioned that everything that happens on earth relates in a profound sense to spiritual phenomena. Despite various challenges and difficulties, True Mother is preparing to depart for the launching of the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace in the United States.

True Mother’s wishes that following his ascension Rev. Hong becomes a great commander who will mobilize the absolute good spirits and lead these good spirits into an immense protective force that will protect True Mother and the True Family.

Third, True Mother said that together with Dae- mo nim, Rev. Hong has the providential mission of protecting blessed families all around the world. Brothers and sisters present at this Wonjeon Ceremony, please understand that this incredible heavenly significance and providence imbues Rev. Hong’s Wonjeon Ceremony. I hope that with a grateful heart and filled with hope, you can offer prayers and devotion as well as establish a strong interactive relationship so that True Parents’ will can be accomplished as quickly as possible.

Those he leaves behind

Beloved family members of the deceased, I would like to thank you on behalf of all the members of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification for taking good care of Rev. Hong. Members of the unification family all over the world pray that Rev. Hong’s achievements can bear fruit ten thousand times within you.

Sun Jeong Hong in his student days Revered Sun Jeong Hong

Beloved Rev. Hong, you were born in a holy family prepared for the advent of God’s only begotten daughter. You were born as the dutiful son of Grandmother Cho and as the younger brother of Hong Soon-ae (Dae-mo nim). Your heroic service to the nation helped preserve the nation’s freedom. As True Mother’s maternal uncle, in order to attend your beloved niece as the bride prepared by Heaven for the marriage supper of the Lamb — as the only begotten daughter and as the True Mother of humanity — you placed the laws of heavenly family relationships ahead of individual relationships and lived a holy life characterized by living for the sake of Heaven’s nation and Heaven’s will with all your heart, all your mind, all your soul and your entire self. Today, we would like to sing your praises!

Henceforth, please release all resentment, become a shining, beautiful spirit-self that transcends time and space; as you begin your eternal journey, please carry with you the gift of true love you have prepared over your entire life with the spirit of loving God, loving your nation and loving humanity. As the great commander of heavenly forces, please become an absolute good spirit who attends the True Parents of Heaven, Earth and Humankind, who are the embodiment of truth, holiness and virtue and are the leader of multitudes with countless victories. Please come down to earth leading immense heavenly armies and support True Mother in every way and using every means permitted by Heaven. Thank you.