Korea has always looked on farming as an honored occupation. Aristocrats,
farmers, artisans and tradesmen was the order in which
traditional society saw the different occupations. Even
today the farming profession is respected, even though few are
interested in following in the ways of their ancestors. Reasons for the
change are easily seen: work is difficult, money is little, and
society has many other possibilities that are more attractive and
esteemed.
The liturgy this past Sunday was a reminder to
Christians that farming has a lot to teach us. We learn some of the
basic laws of nature from farming, and respect for the earth, and what
it can do for us. One of the diocesan bulletins reminds the readers of
the joy that comes with farming.
Writing
about the readings for the 11th Sunday of the Year, the priest mentions
that he has been farming for the past two years and brings his produce
to the bishop's table.Those eating with the bishop praise his efforts for their freshness and taste-- all naturally grown.
Farmers
in Korea have a problem with turning over their land to organic farming
for it is more difficult than using chemicals and sprays to help in
the work. The produce would also not be as plentiful, which for a farmer
is a great sacrifice when the marketing of the produce is important in
supporting family.
He
asks the readers to get involved in a little vegetable garden on
their property. We see this being done also in apartments, on roof tops,
and in verandas with plastic containers, and also those who become
weekend farmers, renting land in areas out side the city.
Weather
conditions are doing a lot of harm to the farmers way of life, the
prices of food continue to rise, and the fear that many have with the
pesticides that are used is helping to make farmers out of the city
dwellers.
Pope
Francis' encyclical on the environment will formally be published
this Thursday and we are already beginning to here the pros and cons.
Korea will have little difficulty in accepting the encyclical for they
are very conscious of the change of weather in the past decades. Most
of the world's scientist see it at least as a partially man made
situation, and the majority of our citizens will have little difficulty understanding the good stewardship that is expected from the
citizens. There have been for many years great concern for the
enviroment with the 'Anabada Movement': Save, Share, Exchange and
Reuse. Hopefully the rest of the world will follow the 'saner and
greater numbers' and see that the wanton disregard for creation as a sin.