The word 'sensitivity' is used, perhaps more than most words, in a variety of
ways and contexts. Its many meanings include: responsive, keen, overflowing,
sympathetic, compassionate, and, though often used to describe persons, can also
characterize a trend or flow in society, as in a "popular sensitivity" or a
"human rights sensitivity." Such were the thoughts of a bishop writing in his
weekly column on religion and economics in the Catholic Times. The word is
sometimes used to indicate a new understanding of some aspect of life. In
popular language, a person who has this sensitivity is seen in a better light
than one who doesn't. Keeping this in mind, it is natural that followers of Christ should have a sensitivity to his words and way of life. Jesus came into the world by taking on our flesh and a human sensitivity to all of us in the love he has shown us. When we are close to Jesus and see the world with his eyes, with his way of thinking and acting, we will take upon ourselves his sensitivity.
With the globalization of the world, and its potential to make us more sensitive to the difficulties of others, we are seeing differences not only in politics but also in cultural and economic matters. The way we live is rapidly being changed by our one-world-village sensitivity. We can't go back to the old ways, the bishop says, but must now find ways to deal with the new society we are making. In the years ahead this will continue to impact our Korean society, and the bishop wants us to understand that it will be primarily a world governed by economic needs that will affect us the most. The Church can't only be interested in spiritual and religious matters but all that pertains to life. When we do, we will see more clearly, he says, the difficulties of those who are not benefiting from an increasingly globalized world, the marginalized and generally forgotten many who struggle to get by.
The Church has commented on this situation repeatedly. The most serious problems are in the countries of Asia and Africa that are experiencing the detrimental side effects of the direction the world has taken. Those of us who have the sensitivity of a follower of Christ should find it easy to understand and to sympathize with the suffering of those who are not benefiting from this new world order.
