What Is True Rest?

A professor of Patrology writes in the Kyeongyang magazine on what is true leisure. He quotes Pope Francis: "The journey through the Decalogue takes us today to the Commandment regarding the day of rest. It sounds like an easy command to respect, but that is the wrong impression. True rest is not simple, because there is false rest and true rest. How can we recognize them?"

 Rest is leaving what we consider toil and difficulties in daily life and do what we ordinarily would want to do if we had the time. We are searching for healing and often see it as emptiness. In this situation, the work we did for pay is now exchanged for fun. But does this type of enjoyment give us rest? Pope Francis says strongly it will not. 

"Today’s society thirsts for amusement and holidays. The entertainment industry is really flourishing, and advertising portrays the ideal world as one great amusement park where everyone has fun. The prevailing concept of life today does not have its center of gravity in activity and commitment but in escapism. Earning money to have fun, to satisfy oneself. The model is the image of a successful person who can afford ample room for diverse forms of enjoyment. But this mentality makes one slip toward the dissatisfaction of a life anesthetized by the fun that is not resting, but alienation and the escape from reality. Man has never rested as much as today, yet man has never experienced as much emptiness as today! Opportunities to amuse oneself, to go out, cruises, travel; but many things do not give you the fullness of heart. Indeed: they do not give you rest" (Sept 5, Audience 2018).

 It is precisely here that we have toxicity. This state is always asking for more, more stimulus, and pleasure will demand more possessions. This is looking for the quick fix and once the stimulus subsides the return to the present is difficult and we have emptiness and apathy. Rest fails to give what is wanted and we have the vicious circle. 

 "Peace is chosen; it cannot be imposed and it is not found by chance. Distancing himself from the bitter wounds of his heart, man needs to make peace with what he is fleeing from. It is necessary to reconcile oneself with one’s own history, with facts that one does not accept, with the difficult parts of one’s own existence. I ask you: is each of you reconciled with your own history? A question to ponder: Am I reconciled with my own history? True peace, in fact, is not about changing one’s own history but about welcoming it and valuing it, just as it has unfolded" (Sept 5, Audience).

 "When does life become beautiful? When we begin to think well of it, whatever our history. When the gift of a doubt makes its way: that all is grace, and that holy thought breaks down the inner wall of dissatisfaction, giving way to authentic rest."

When God becomes the center of our life and God becomes established in our lives, then with rest we will find peace. It is only resting in God we will rid ourselves of stress and what we considered toil and adversity which we found in our daily life will no longer be areas of avoidance, but rather find God's mercy and blessings.

Pope Francis spelled out what true rest is and we can measure it by how beautiful we see human existence. When we can all participate in this confession than we have brought some of the joy of heaven down to earth. And we recite the first verse of Psalm 64 with new meaning: "In God alone, there is rest for my soul."

Accepting our Finiteness

In Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment, the protagonist, Raskolnikov is a poor but kind-hearted student. He plans to kill a  pawnbroker that he has been dealing with, an old lady, who he considers a "worm", squeezing money from the poor. What he wants to do is not a sin but a realization of justice. In the Eyes of the Believer of the Catholic Times, the writer reflects on what is sin beginning with Dostoevsky's novel.

But after killing the woman he is in great fear and self-denial. He meets a prostitute named Sonia, who is pure in heart, he is touched by her love and realizes that the old lady, who he considered no more than a worm is a dignified human being. He has remorse, confesses and is exiled to Siberia accompanied by Sonia and begins a new life, kissing the ground of his exile and yelling out: "I am a murderer".

Nowadays, the story of a woman in her 30s who killed her ex-husband brutally upset many of the citizens. She killed her ex-husband because it might interfere with her remarriage and felt little guilt for her actions. The writer was not comfortable with the news that more than 200,000 people petitioned she be executed quickly. Raskolnikov, who executed the "worm" and the woman who killed her ex-husband without guilt are they really not human and lack dignity?

Article 10 of our Constitution declares that "all citizens have dignity and value as human beings. According to this rule, not only the good man is dignified, but the worm-like old lady of "Crime and Punishment". Raskolnikov, who killed her and that woman in her 30s who felt no guilt have dignity.

Many of the teachers of religion go one step further and teach that we are all brothers and sisters and one with all of nature. They consider the killing of animals a sinful act. India's philosopher and one time president of India, Radhakrishnan, explains sin from the Hindu scriptures, Bhagavad Gita: "Sin is not just an act of transgression of rules or law, but sin is the individual's finiteness:  ignorance, and conviction that the self is independent of others."

This finiteness is a sin because an individual can not live without compromising himself against another. In reality we all owe our existence to others and we forget we are all connected to one another, and yet emphazise our indviduality and praise our independence. Convinced of this is where we sin.

Pope Francis also said: “This world is inherently beautiful and still a precious work of God. In this world, however, violence, divisions, conflicts and wars are frequent...  We are not able to escape from the prison of selfishness into which we have locked ourselves" (The Church of Mercy, p. 266).
 
We can not live without taking the life of another living being for food that is the reality but we should be temperate. We have no choice but to punish those who kill to protect society, but we still want to stop the death penalty in respect for the dignity and value of the person, and seek an alternative punishment.
 
In this life there is no way we can escape from finiteness but we can hopefully struggle to diminish our selfishness and self-centeredness, can we not?

Values of the Catholic Laity

People are hurting. Life is empty for many. Consequently, a time of spiritual thirst. Even Christians are looking around to satisfy this thirst. There is a demand, so there is a supply. In line with this, new spiritual movements have soared. Christians must be able to distinguish what is Christian and what is not. 

'New Age' is one of these movements. Why did 'New Age' emerge as one of these spiritual movements that adversely affected Christianity? It is fundamentally different from Christianity in two ways. So begins an article in the Peace Weekly by an educator on the life of the laity.

First, New Age does not accept Jesus as Savior. They  admit that Jesus is one of many saints and manifestations in human history, but do not recognize him as a Savior, Messiah. In this respect, 'New Age' is fundamentally different from Christianity. Second, they refer to God as the universe's enormous energy. It is also fundamentally different in not confessing God as the only God and Creator.

Many lay people  familiar with 'New Age' see much in common with Christianity. In many cases, this happens without realizing it since 'New Age' is deeply rooted in all areas of politics, economy, society, culture and the arts. The problem with the 'New Age' is that it naturally entertains us and moves us away from God. Believing in God as an absolute deminishes and is confused about  Christ as Savior. And it is becoming more and more meaningless to go to church and live in community since  we can live well without going to church.

Another emerging spiritual movement that acts as a barrier to living as a layman in the world is 'Ki' (氣). As a      mental exercise, not a big problem. However, the phenomenon of 'religiousizing' '기' has been around for a long time. Already we have the makings of a number of  pseudo religions. If you go deeper beyond the mental movement, you end up with a religion and faith.

Also values are a barrier. Values can change and vary from time to time. Modern times seem to have the absence of values, an age of confusion. What is important is money and health, the things of the world. We  live in a world influenced by humanist ideas. As a result, the value of human beings, the value of human nature, and the value of God in reality are being pushed out. The words we use say that humans are more important than money, but in many cases the opposite is done. Nevertheless, there is hope because humanity does know that human beings are more important than money. Human beings cannot lose this value. Because there is God in us.

God and man are one. God is in us and we are with God. Jesus is in God and God is in Jesus. Thus, no matter how circumstances change and times change, the dignity of human beings with God can never be compromised.

The laity live with others in the  world, but they should not live just like others. Jesus said, "If you do not become like a child, you will never enter the kingdom" (Matthew 18: 3). So what are some of the characteristics of children? There is a lot that he can list like innocence, but what he  pays the  most attention is asking questions. Children always ask their parents questions. "Mom what is this?" "Mom can I eat this?" "Mom can I go to my friend's house?" "Mom what should I do?"

But when we do something, we rarely ask God. It's my  judgment my thinking we follow. As a result, we stumble often. We are so busy. I want to do this, and do that. And not satisfied with anything just busy. We must stop living such a busy life.

The laity adapt to and live in the world with others but they also need to know that the standards and values of the world are not absolute. Lay Christians are those who, even in the world, must learn and practice Christ's ideals and values.

We are Responsible for our Faces

In her weekly column for the Peace Weekly a religious sister reminds us that we are responsible as we age for the face we have. This is because of our repeated thoughts, emotions, and actions which constitute who we are.

She mentions going to her hometown and meeting her old friends after many years, the gestures and expressions still remained. "With the passage of time you are the same." "You haven't changed much either." "Really?"

For a while, she felt she was in a time machine that brought her back to her school. days. "But at this age, I studied well, was smart and was pretty… It's all useless." "I have a lot of friends who seem unhappy even with a lot of money."  "Yes, that's right. Now I can see how I lived just by looking at my face." "Persons with the radiant faces, putting all together, seemed to have a postive outlook and enjoyed life."

At that moment, she  remembered a friend whom she met by chance last year. She remembered her pretty face from their school days, enough to  make one  jealous. But the friend when encountered, her face was distorted and looked much older than she actually was. Her friend seemed to have anger written on her face as if pursued from the look in her eyes. 'Ah, this friend is not happy;  life must have been rough. Yes, that's right. I'm responsible for my face as I get older.'

Then a friend began to tell his story with a serious expression on his face. "I actually lived  for a long time a life that was close to death. There was no hope at that time and I wished death. Then one day I looked in the mirror; I was surprised for a  monster was staring back at me. A monster… . This was crazy to be living like this and it shouldn't be."

This  friend's confession rang a bell in her. Should we not be messingers of joy to others? As we were talking her brother and sister joined them. My friend greeted my family and we remained in conversation for some time before we separated. On the way home her brother said:
"Sister, that friend of yours must have had a peaceful life the way he was laughing and full of joy." Yes, it was a happy face she quietly responded.
 
She recalls a  friend  who was overcome with thoughts and wishes for death on occasions too many to count. The friend tried to rid her self of the stress and depression with a strong spiritual life. She decided to give this friend a telephone call. She was successful in riding herself of the monster and wants to tell her to look at the real self in the mirror. 

Sister often looks into the  mirror too. As you grow older, you see white hair, blemishes, liver spots, and wrinkles. But when you get  trapped looking at the outer appearance, you don't see the real self. 
 
"My face, which  I must be held accountable for as I get older, my habits have become what I am today. Repeated thoughts, emotions, and actions gather overtime on the face. Our footprints in life are left all over the face. My face is a puzzle that is open to everyone."

Capital Sin of Lust

"Come, let us drink deep of love until the morning,and abandon ourselves to delight. For my husband is not at home he has gone on a very long journey, taking his moneybags with him; he will not be back until the moon is full" (Proverbs  7:19-20). If we didn't see the attribution to Scripture we would have taken this coming from a trashy novel.

A priest professor introduces the reader of the Kyeongyang magazine to the captital sin of Lust. Sex  has always been a topic of interest and appeal to the human race. Korea in the present century is also filled with sex talk. He brings an article from the mass media to the attention of the readers.

"The police investigating the violence of a club found the use of drugs, sex entertainment and violence and sexual indecency which on further investigation found this was being videoed for their SNS internet room. Those who were involved in this were famous entertainers causing some talk in society."  These incidents enter the daily conversation of the citizens and many are surprised at the decadence in areas of society arousing nausea in the way some are treated as objects.

When distortion in the understanding of sex comes in contact with money, and technology we have the incitement in society to sell sex as a commodity and the dignity and value of the person is forgotten. When lust is not controlled and free to express itself  we have sexual harrasment, sexual violence, pornography, debauchery, prostitution, exchange of mates and all kinds of sexual intemperance.

The internet has helped the spread of distorted sex to a larger audience. In France, Germany Spain and England we have businesses selling sex with robots. Many think this will decrease human trafficking, and  sexual violence. In a survey made abroad 70 percent of the men and 30 percent of the  women were in favor of robot sex. A book by David Levy: Love and Sex with Robots sees the marriage of humans with robots and the writer wonders what kind of world are we making.

How are Christians to look upon sex? In one survey Christians have a guilty conscience with sex and not as much joy as others. There are those who feel ashamed with the ordinary sexual life of husband and wife and not unheard is the desire for holiness by avoiding the sexual embrace of married love. This arises from the inablity to distinquish sexual desire from lust. Christians are not to see sexuality as bad and to avoid it but to show the beauty of sexuality and have the mission to restore it to its original goodness.

Ron and Mavis Pirola, Catholics and parents of four from Sydney, told a Vatican gathering of about 200 prelates that sexual attraction brought them together 57 years ago and helped keep their marriage strong."Gradually, we came to see that the only feature that distinguishes our sacramental relationship from that of any other good Christ-centered relationship is sexual intimacy, and that marriage is a sexual sacrament with its fullest expression in sexual intercourse."

Lust is different from sexual desire. "Lust is disordered desire for or inordinate enjoyment of sexual pleasure. Sexual pleasure is morally disordered when sought for itself, isolated from its procreative and unitive purposes" (CCC 2351). When one has the intention to remain with the thoughts of a disordered desire and take pleasure in the desire we have a sinful inclination. He mentions the word lussuria from the Italian  to express the word lust.

We have a big difference between love and lust. Love  goes out to the other, lust turns in on oneself. Lust seeks personal satisfaction to control the other and ignores reason. Love has control over oneself, does not ignore reason and goes out to the other. The consequences of lust according to St.Thomas Aquinas:"blindness of mind, thoughtlessness, inconstancy, rashness, self-love, hatred of God, love of this world and abhorrence or despair of a future world."

The Heavens of Georges Lemaître

The universe is expanding. The first to prove this was American astronomer Edwin Hubble. In 1929 he  reported the more distant the galaxies the faster they move away. This relationship, which defines the distance to the galaxy and the rate of retreat, is called Hubble's law. It is the backbone of modern cosmology and appears in high school textbooks. So begins the column Word and Silence in the Peace Weekly.

Last October, the International Astronomical Union changed the name to Hubble-Lemaître Law and asked that it be so-called. Lemaître's pioneering work on cosmic expansion was admitted, lately.

Georges Lemaître (1894-1966) was a Belgian Jesuit priest. Although he was ten years younger than Einstein, he was active at the same time. Einstein's equations were solved to present the expansion of the universe for the first time. The paper was published in 1927, two years ahead of Hubble's observations.

The expanding universe hints to a beginning of the universe. If we go back in the time of expansion, will we not meet with a small initial shape? Lemaitre called the original seed a "primitive atom". The universe now is the result of the expansion of this primitive atom. This is the foundation of the big bang universe theory, which is established theory today.  Lemaître is an integral part of the history of the big bang.

The big bang connects us at first glance with Genesis and the creation of the heavens and the earth. The Catholic Church responded favorably. Pope Pius XII said at the Pontifical Academy of Sciences in 1951: "Today's science seems to have succeeded in testifying to the original moment of creation."                               
The Pontifical Academy of Sciences was reorganized in 1936 during the time of  Pope Pius XI. Annually, academic conferences are held to illuminate scientific development and submit annual reports. Lemaitre was a founding member and was chairman from 1960.

How did Lemaître accept the pope's bold speech that welcomed his theory? First of all, the media of that time reported the amazing changes in the Vatican. However, some scientists responded very critically. The intention to justify faith by the scientific theory was not right. The same was true of Lemaître. He advised that forcing the connection between science and theology was neither help to science or the church.

Today the church is neither wary nor opposed to science. The church does not try to stop the amazing progress of science. "The Church has no wish to hold back the marvelous progress of science. On the contrary, she rejoices and even delights in acknowledging the enormous potential that God has given to the human mind" (Joy of the Gospel #243).

Faith and science once opposed each other, now recognize and respect each other. Science is the effort of the human mind to reach the mystery of the universe. Faith tries to answer the ultimate question thrown to the naked soul before Mother Nature. The church does not regard the Bible as a science textbook and has fully transferred this role to science.
  
Lemaître was made a monsignor in 1960 and died in 1966. As a leading scientist and member of the clergy, he contributed to the correct relationship between science and faith. In particular, scientific theory, no matter how plausible, religion should not judge it right or wrong. The theory of science can be amended or discarded at any time, but the church pursues the values of eternity.

In the face of the dazzling developments of modern science.Lemaître's words are still worth pondering. "Does the church need science? No. The cross and the gospel are enough."

Do I Really Listen?

A religious sister in her column in the Peace Weekly wonders do we really listen to other people with our whole being. She recalls a visit to the New York Museum of Modern Art. What impressed her was not the paintings but the back view of an old couple sitting side by side in conversation, looking at the painting of Pablo Picasso's Virgins of Avignon.
 
They were paying close attention to each other's words as they looked at the painting. When the wife talked, the husband listened intently, and when the husband talked the wife nodded knowingly. What did these two have so much to talk about before the painting of 5 naked women of Avignon? Seeing this old couple deep in conversation made her reflect on the time they had spent in conversation over the years.
 
In the sister's lectures, she often asks couples what they talk about. Usually, they talk about the work, the children, some drama they had seen or politics. She mentions Mrs. G, who has been married for 30 years and only talks when her husband talks politics. Usually it's what did you eat? Where are the socks? What will you do tomorrow? Even marriages without problems they don't travel together, don't have the same likes or dislikes, don't have fun together, and rarely see a movie together, or share their hobbies. They talk, but the time for conversation is much less than one would think.
 
Sometimes she thinks: We talk a lot like a person invited to a talkfest. She also finds it increasingly difficult to be concerned about the one speaking and to be a good listener. Sometimes several people gather to talk and few people listen. It seems like everyone is just waiting their turn to speak. One breaks the flow of the conversation and repeats what has already been said. No listening—people rather talk.  

Why are we so good at telling our own stories? Why so difficult to listen? One study found that when you talk about yourself, dopamine, is secreted and we feel good. So who did I meet, what did I eat, where did I go to play, take selfies and post on social media?
 
Conversation shows concern for others. Caring dialogue is like a beautiful duet. Pay close attention to the person's breathing, eye contact and share your feelings. Above all, when you sing duets, you should listen to your voice so also in speaking.

We need to hear what we are saying. When I listen to what I say, I have the attention to know how the other person is hearing me. What I want to say may make another uncomfortable and hurt. What we say to one person may be heard differently by another person.

Even when a couple gets older, time in conversation can be shared and enjoyed. When our relations with others are not what they should be with conversation and self-reflection we can make amends for our many failures and ask for forgiveness.

'Do you want to listen to the things I want to say?'

Leaving The Community of Faith

Here in Korea as in much of the West we are seeing a drop in religious practice. At the same time news and statistics come to us in rapid order showing that society is having a nervous breakdown. Nine out of ten young people in England have no purpose in life. The number of suicides is increasing and the number of mental problems is seen everywhere. The availability of information is part of the reason but not the only reason.

 In a bulletin for priests, a retired pastor laments the change in Korean Catholic life where only about 18 out of a hundred parishioners are practicing. These numbers will not be improving soon. What has happened? Society has changed and so has the Church. The same problems facing society are facing the Church.

 He mentions in the article, Paul who was a devout parish worker, had a good education and taught the catechumens who were preparing to enter the community. Many praised him for his devotion and efforts. He moved to a distant city with his family because of work. Months later, his friend heard that he discontinued going to church. There seemed to be no special reason. He was teaching those who were interested in coming into the church; lived an exemplary life and yet... Many people were surprised to hear he was no longer practicing.

 Not uncommon is to see this happen within a community. If you marry, move, or make major changes in life, the faith life often breaks down. Many are the reasons for leaving this life of faith but something was missing. From the outside, he was living a life of faith, but the roots did not go deep.

Faith begins by hearing and becomes strong through experiences in life. Listening to the Gospel important as it is, can not take the place of experience and living what is believed.

For example, Kim was introduced to someone by a friend. They never met but he heard a lot of good things about him. One day they met. They talked and watched a movie together and deepened their friendship. What he heard about him only in words lacked intimacy. After meeting, talking, and doing something together, a friendship developed they wanted to meet again. Introduced with words and with the head, the experience of the person brought a change.

In the age of science where everything needs testing and causes revealed, faith becomes more difficult. The world of faith is rarely revealed in this way. It's not scientific and objective truth of ‘3 + 3 = 6’. With objective truth, we have no freedom to accept and believe. The truth of faith is not objective in this sense, but subjective. Many miracle stories are hard to accept scientifically. Some people can accept it, and others can't. We are free to accept subjective truth or not. When two people see the same thing, one can be changed and to another it means nothing. Accepting the truth of faith requires not only the disposition but an openness to allow it to work and change us.

“I have met people who are poor and unlearned, and faith gives them hope and strength while the wealthy and educated have only the externals of faith." (Tolstoy)

“Everyone who hears and practices these words of mine will be like a wise man who built his house upon the rock” (Matthew 7: 21,24).

Korea And Japan as Companions

Feelings aroused by the Japanese in Korea are well known but not so well known are the reasons for the animosity. Of course, years as a colony are remembered and the abuse of those many years continues to sting but many other problems are part of the mix and a professor gives us some background in an article in the Peace Weekly.

Reasons for the trade war may go back to the Second World War and the fight over the refusal of Japan to acknowledge their wartime activities and make amends. And Japan's understanding that it was an issue that was settled years ago. Japan's economic retaliation was without a hitch. It must have been a carefully planned attack. People blame Korea for not having been able to cope with the crisis.

The origin of totalitarianism according to Hannah Arendt is still valid. When the balance of power between nations is broken and economic difficulties arise, the imperialism of the “strong man” rather than rational thinking paralyzes the rationality of a democratic society. Today's world is an era of the 'Strongman'. Like the domino phenomenon, Trump began retaliation towards China and Abe towards Korea.

Followers of imperialism do cause concern. Japan in the process of forming a modern state, the undemocratic elite joined forces with the political elite to begin the revolution into imperialism. The fact that not one civil revolution succeeded in Japanese history proves this. Followers of empire thinking easily disregarded the order of society and carried out their imperialistic enlightenment of the neighboring countries of China and Korea. Ruth Benedict in her book Chrysanthemum and the Sword published in 1946 recognized the nature of Japanese imperialism.

This remained in the DNA of the Japanese right-wing even after the war. Only three times in postwar Japanese political history have the Liberal Democratic Party had problems. Professor Arthur Stockwin of Oxford University says Japan is the only country that maintains a one-party dominance among the five countries that were one-party dominance countries surveyed in 1990.

Media control is also worsening. According to the World Press Freedom Index, Japan's free speech rank has worsened from 32th in 2011 to 67th in 2019. The one-party governance system is likely to develop a top-down social engineering policy and with the control of the press to produce the citizens they want.

Followers of the empire showed their nature because Korea's economic growth and political democratization were a big challenge for Japan: in the successful hosting of the US-North Korea and North-South talks. The Abe regime stigmatized the Moon government as an anti-Japanese government to assemble domestic support.

Like it or not, the relationship between Korea and Japan has entered the new normal era. South Korea should prepare with a new way of dealing with Japan, not with internal criticism and animosity. The past dealings were a zero-sum game marked by extreme opposition and antagonism. The time has come for Korea to find a relationship as companions even though it may be early. We must firmly respond to Japan's provocations and rearm ourselves with a cold intelligence and not a revival of nationalism.

One solution that Korea can choose now is to restore active democratic citizen solidarity and communication between the two countries. It may be difficult, but the government-to-government confrontation must be resolved by the democratic citizens of both countries. Japanese society must be the center of change. The subject of the new Korea-Japan relationship should be the meeting of the democratic citizens of both countries.

Searching For Luxury Goods

In the recent Catholic Times, a priest college sociology professor looks at our consumer society and leaves us with something to think about. 

Today's markets are constantly stimulating consumption. Department store shelves, TVs, the Internet, home shopping present us with a vast amount of products. In this kind of society consumption is a 'virtue', consequently, we need to reflect deeply on the fundamental values and practical meaning of consumption.

In the present society, for some time the consumption of luxury goods is often an effort to show off one's dominance by owning imported expensive items that are not available to the average person. The scholar, Veblen, pointed out that this 'conspicuous consumption' is a part of the conspicuous luxury culture of the leisure classes. The writer has heard that some women's social gatherings are difficult to attend without carrying luxury bags. He also has read articles that some companies rent luxury bags for one day at a high cost. It's sad to see how hungry some people are to get attention with their external possession and how empty they must be inside.

On the other hand, we tend to follow fashion, even if it's not expensive. In the middle of winter, he was surprised at the uniformity of our culture when an entire class wears a certain brand of clothing rather than school uniforms. Georg Simmel says following of fashion results from relief that comes with being part of a group. When I wear different clothes alone, I don't have the inner strength and self-control to handle the “uncomfortable gaze” that comes from the outside, so I pursue the comfort of living following the collective.
 
According to Bourdieu, another sociologist, we are dealing with a strategy of distinguishment with the seeking of luxury and fashion. The upper class wants to show off their tastes and prestige with the best brands popular abroad, and the middle class gets pulled along.

Indeed, we live under the pressure of the market paradigm, which recognizes only the products that can be purchased with money in the market as 'consumption'. But consumption was originally a way of living, (modus vivendi)! Consumption is not just the narrow economic dimension of buying goods but the market expands our vision to greater social engagement and ethics.

For example, boycotts of Japanese imperialism, firms that are participating in immoral practices are ways consumers can influence the market. The same is true of 'good consumption', and the rejection of genetically modified foods or the purchase of eco-friendly products of sound companies that pursue social value.

However, this lifestyle is difficult—a life dedicated to the common good when no one appreciates what is happening. It requires 'consuming' our bodies, mind, time, and energy. These efforts can't be reduced to money— time and energy consumed for me, my family, neighbors, community and God so that we can live together in virtuous peaceful coexistence.

The Creator God is still laboring and striving for all of us today. God always gives His love to us. Too many of us have never noticed the gift of his love because of excessive greed for possessions. God spends his love generously and we waste and are often oblivious of this great gift.
 
We are all masterpieces of God's handiwork formed by his love. Even if it is far from what we would like it to be we are objects of God's love no matter how shabby in appearance and incomplete we may seem, we are God's masterpiece. Money may have little to with what we possess but what we have when we share it with our neighbors and the community, is it not “high-class consumption”? Where God's image and his love are fully dedicated to life.

How To Rest

A mental health doctor and professor who has made a study of stress gives the readers in the Kyeogyang magazine some thoughts to ponder on dealing with stress. He begins by telling the readers that stress for many means the reduction of stress, however, is not life full of stress? When one stressful situation is solved another appears.

He considers the problem from a scientific position. Stress when excessive, tires the brain, and when it continues the possibility of bodily disease. Better than to try to reduce stress is to learn how to manage stress. If you are wondering what stress management is: examen to see how you accept the change of seasons and the beautiful things in nature— experiencing a blue heaven is a sign that the brain is managing well, maintaining a proper balance between conflict and peace, if not you are in conflict mode.

Between play and work, the most difficult should be work, but those with excessive stress it's often play. The brain tells us more than behavior. Some take vacations, spend a lot of money, return home and find it more tiring than work.

Many are those who everything in their work is going well but are 'burnt out'. He recalls a man who was 'burnt out' and when asked what he should be doing,  answered: nothing— a terrible situation to be in. Nothing seems to recharge the brain.

Burnt Out Syndrome is a difficult situation where the brain needs some new energy to revive it but no matter what— nothing helps. All that is wanted is to be alone and to lie down. Nothing seems to recharge the brain. The recharging apparatus is not functioning. He recommends being merciful to oneself which is the apparatus in the brain to recharge oneself and bring energy back to the brain. It's like charging the smartphone from the outside. The outside outlets are people, nature and culture, all very understandable. Knowledge will not do it, looking upon oneself with mercy, this recharging is not with the logical part of the brain.

Most of the stress we experience comes from relationships. Stress comes from people and relieved by people. We are not energized by looking into a mirror and telling ourselves all is well. It's when others tell us that we are great that we become energized, this is not received only with words.
 
When people are the problem, nature and culture can recharge us: looking at a mountain scene or reading a novel or poem. When the brain becomes tired and the recharging apparatus is not working we need others, nature or culture to get recharged.

We need to monitor what is coming out from our heads and stop responding and very gently listen to what our hearts are saying. He concludes the article, telling the readers to look at some of the details of daily life that he introduces to help us recharge.

1) Breathe deeply three-time and feel the flow: do this during the day before going to work, switching on the computer, waiting for a meeting to start...

2) In a quiet place savor the situation, eat with this attitude: scrutinize the color of the food, the aroma and eat with the whole body.

3) Walk for 10 minutes in a contemplative way: moving the body and lessening tension associated with the head—with the leisure to look into your heart.

4) Once a week have an intimate conversation with a friend: this will be a help in relaxing oneself.

5) Look at a sad movie or something that will evoke sorrow: we seek to divert a sad mood by something opposite but doing this exclusively we lose the ability to accept sadness.

6) Read three poems during the week: our hearts are moved by metaphors more than by logic. When we become accustomed to the metaphor we will have a better chance at examining our hearts.

7) Leave the smartphone in the house and travel on the train: rather than looking absent-mindedly out the window take a long contemplative look at what you see. 

Looks very simple but with this practice, we will be projecting what is happening in our heads onto a white screen. We will have the psychological leisure to examine ourselves and ironically develop the wisdom necessary for life.

Shopping and Human Rights

Many are those nowadays who refuse to buy a product, a certain brand, or buy what will harm the environment because of some negative attributes that are connected with the product. We can also refuse to travel to another country and refuse to buy their imports because of their behavior. It is expressing disapproval or forcing the acceptance of certain conditions. A university professor in the field of consumerism gives the readers some ideas on this attitude held by some in society.

This refusal to buy comes from the name Charles Cunningham Boycott, an Englishman who exploited the Irish tenants. When the famine got worse and the lives of the Irish farmers became very difficult, he forced the collection of rents; angry farmers united and confronted the landowner by not giving food to the caretakers and not working. They did win.

It is an effective way for consumers as a group, to refuse to open their wallets in order to change or eradicate an immoral corporation or organization. True, especially in markets where there are many alternative options. In 1996, Nike, a global company, was the object of the refusal to buy because of the controversy surrounding child labor in Pakistan. This movement quickly spread around the globe. Nike sales dropped by 50%. Nike eventually banned child labor in factories around the world and started to improve the working environment. Amazon has recently had the same difficulty in the UK, criticized for avoiding taxes.

There are two main results from this refusal to buy. One is a short-term decline in sales. The other is tarnishing the image of a company or brand. The proliferation of these movements rarely leads to a decline in sales, as most companies have some form of countermeasures. However, once damaged, images and reputations are difficult to overcome. This is why most companies actively confront these movements to lessen some of the losses envisioned.

The most important thing in these movements is to collect a large number of supporters who sympathize with the reasons. It is difficult to obtain a large number of supporters if the cause is unclear because these movements restrict consumers' freedom of choice and may cause economic loss to the participants. Consequently, without moral justification, it is difficult to gather supporters.

It would be better if you buy goods at one of the competitors at the same time. The situation by which companies lose their reputation due to certain problems is a good opportunity to help other better companies with their products.

Many of these movements often end with no apparent reason. First of all, it is difficult for consumers to have the same understanding and involvement because of different interests. It is also difficult to expect achievements dealing with a monopoly situation where there are no other good alternatives. This is why it is difficult for these movements to succeed in high technology and energy industries.

Refusing to open your wallet is a good way to show the power of consumers who are voters in the market. Consumers' buying can save or ruin markets or businesses. However, to vote correctly in the market is as difficult as voting in politics.

What Money Can't Buy

In 1998 Korea acknowledged facing a crisis of bankruptcy and asked for help from the International Monetary Fund, IMF. The government was not  able to  see the problems with foreign exchange that brought about financial difficulties. So begins an article by a professor working in quantum science.

At the time of IMF an economic scholar who visited Korea on leaving left these words: "In this world numbers are associated with everything, it's the dollar." An extreme expression and no need to associate numbers with dollars but Korea went through financially difficult times because of numbers.

What is meant by justice? Michael Sandel, the author of  What Money Can't Buy, a best seller, asks what are the moral limits of the market. Unlike the past every thing can be bought and sold. The market mentality has destroyed many of our realtionships of the past. The rules of the market should not be used in our social relationships, institutions and our thinking but it does.

From an early age, instinctively we compare what is mine to what another has. The proverb: the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence is an indication of this reality. This is the reason we use numbers in comparisons, science and technology which continue to advance, and the market goes its way with selling and buying. Height and age, weight, wealth, friends, are given in numbers. We understand another better with these numbers, they help us to know another's problems and how to help. But Sandel in his book reminds us that not everything is determined by numbers we can't determine human values by numbers.

Numbers do not tell us everything about a person. When persons do the same work and one gets paid much and the other little is this just? In the same way one works little and another works much and they receive the same pay is this just? In a parable of Matthew's Gospel 20: 1-16, some only work one hour and get the same pay as those that worked the whole day. Is this just? If this happened today what would happen? And yet this was the contract that was made with the workers. They got what they contracted for.

Can we say this is unjust? "Take your earnings and go. I choose to pay the last- comer as much as I gave you. Have I no right to do what I like with my own? Why be envious because I am generous?" And concludes with: "Thus the last will be first and the first last." God has his way of judging, often not the way we judge.

When we talk about justice we take two quantities  and compare and measure them.This can be done rather easily with logical and objective results. We can make a statistically basically good response. But dealing with people it is not as easy as the words we use. Consequently, concern for numbers is not as important as agreement, and promise.

We have come a long way in the way we use numbers and brought great inovations to our daily life. Numbers have entered almost all facets of life: politics, sports, education, practically all of life. Using numbers does give us more accuracy and efficiency but they are not what justice is all about. As Sandel says there are many things that money can not buy.  The fact is that principles and methods of the market govern a great deal of what we do and we forget that what is important has little to do with numbers.

Not Only False News but False Advertising

The mass media does not only publish news but is a medium for advertising. For the industry, advertising is as important as the news, for it is the main means of revenue. In the recent Catholic Times, a one-time editor continues to instruct the readers on fake advertising.

Of course, the DNA of news content and advertising are different. Advertising is a commercial interest and the news is of public interest. They have opposite qualities but have a symbiotic relationship in that they need each other.

Consequently, both have to be accompanied by news ethics and advertising ethics. The Internet Newspaper Ethics Committee considers both equally important.

Nowadays, fake news is often filled with fake advertising. Articles are made to pass as news when they are advertising for a company or product. Even the name of the reporter is disguised. With the expansion of digital media, the advertising revenue of newspapers and other media has decreased. Fake news covering all kinds of subjects such as recreation, hospitals, cosmetics, travel, automobiles, contain camouflaged advertising. No indication we are reading an 'advertisement'.

A few years ago, one of the famous daily newspapers in an article used to advertise on the internet was believed by the readers and the goods were ordered. Not receiving the goods the victims sued the companies as fraudulent and won the lawsuit against three newspapers that posted the same article.

The newspaper advertising code of ethics consists of four sections. The first one is "newspaper advertising should benefit the reader and be trusted." Also, the following three prohibited contents: "unscientific or superstitious", "speculation", "untrustworthy enterprises".

In addition to the article type advertisement, the ethics committee frequently punishes 'fake advertisements as 'unscientific or superstitious advertisement'. It still means that unscientific or superstitious advertising is doing well. It is surprising when we think about the educational and cultural level of our people, but they advertise what is still in demand.

If we see the titles of the ads that the Korean Newspaper Ethics Committee has filed for disciplinary measures in the last three months as unscientific or superstitious we will easily understand what is meant. Solving all your marriage problems, employment, passing tests, business prosperity and all kinds of health problems with groundless, unreliable solutions.

Of course, readers and viewers have different levels of credibility about news and advertising. Unlike news, however, most people understand that with advertising a considerable amount of exaggeration and even falsity is included. Even so, to delude persons who are in a state of desperation and looking for anything to help, this approach is wrong-headed. The same is true for large daily newspapers, which boast of their history and tradition and continue to display such advertisements.

Violence Against Women in Korea

Both Catholic Weeklies had stories on violence against women. Social media spotlighted the problem with the abuse of a migrant woman by her husband. Revealed to the public, it ignited the indignation of many of the South Koreans and a desire to do something. 

Since Korean women are not anxious to go to the farming areas of the country, many of the farmers look for brides from other countries. Language and culture are mostly to blame for the domestic violence in these cases.


There is a saying that you don't strike another with flowers: meaning violence can never be justified. The images on the social media showing the woman being assaulted by her husband in front of her child were difficult to view for many. The voice of criticism was loud but society has still to deal with the situation.

Patriarchy and drinking are reasons given for the frequency but we also have the attitude of the citizens which may have something to do with the problem. Nearly one in five women in Korea say that a husband may be justified in hitting or beating his wife compared with one in thirteen women in OECD countries on average.
 
The Seoul Catholic Women's Welfare Council discussed the issue on the 30th anniversary of its founding. The topic was the 'actual state of economic independence of women leaving domestic violence centers, and measures necessary'.
 
A survey made on the situation with 149 victims who had left the centers was reviewed. According to the results, 60.4 % of the victims were divorced. Others were in the process of divorcing or living separated  from their husbands. Many had economic difficulties after leaving the facility. Housing problems were the biggest. Finding employment was not easy. Women also have emotional and psychological difficulties; anxiety they will face violence again is present.

Group homes provided by the government number about 30% of the facilities at present. Those who need such facilities are many; the need is greater then what society has at present.
 
Paying for housing was the biggest problem that all the age groups had even of those in their 60s or older. After release from the facilities providing support was most helpful. During the time in these facilities help in finding work with vocational training programs was seen as necessary.
 
Over 64 % have not received any aid whatsoever.  And this according to those who know the situation means that many have to go back to where they suffered the abuse. Without a safe place to go independence will be impossible.

The Church needs to extend its work for those who need help. This will be an area in which other church communities, organizations, and society as a whole will need to be involved.

Korean Catholic Times' New Electronic Site

The Catholic Times of Korea the oldest Catholic weekly has launched a website to keep its readers abreast of the news. The Catholic e Times will be available on your PC and mobile phone allowing one to access content not available in the newspaper. The Weekly in one of its recent issues introduced the new features of the online edition.
 
The 'Catholic e-Newspaper', launched in 2016, can be accessed with the smartphone that allows busy people to easily access church news and information anytime and anywhere. Also produces high-quality images and allows readers around the world to view the paper and YouTube channels.
 
Efforts were made so that the new media may be easily accessed by those who are not used to the smartphone. On the webpage that appears once you write (가톨릭e신문) you will have easy access to the site. However, you have free access to some areas and the others require that you pay a subscription fee. Those who speak Korean, may find this well worth the money. English is offered in many programs.

The Catholic Newspaper, which began in 1927 during the Japanese colonial period, has tried to present accurate news to the readers as a representative of the Korean Catholic Church. But today, Korea and the entire world suffers from "fake news" that is produced and spread indiscriminately.
 
The digital online media represented by YouTube has content that can not be verified as correct information. In particular, the news of the Catholic Church following the teachings of the universal church is also mixed with distorted content produced by channel operators who are keen on recruiting  religious groups and subscribers."Fake News" is not just YouTube's problem. "Fake News" spreads in blogs, cafes and portal sites operated by individuals— Facebook, KakaoTalk, etc. 

Catholic e-newspapers have various functions besides the opportunity of reading the newspapers. The Catholic e-Newspaper Premium gives you a chance to hear more news from honorary journalists from around the country. It also has a variety of attractions and informative contents such as videos and foreign language news services translated into Chinese and English.

The Catholic Newspaper has opened a channel on YouTube and is showing footage of films. In addition to conveying the news of the Korean church to the audience, they have attracted the attention of readers with appropriate visual content on many aspects of church life here in Korea. If you write (가톨릭 신문) in the YouTube search engine and click, the newspaper channel will appear and you will know how to continue.

This effort of the Church in Korea is a tool for evangelization and to help the Christians be more knowledgeable about their faith.