No more conflicts and divisions! Many people are frustrated and resentful because of the prolonged COVID-19 situation. As we spend more time alone, social skills and sense of companionship have diminished, left with a sense of helplessness and depression. We hear many stories of how to be patient, but the situation of those suffering from poverty is extremely distressing and will remain so.
Confrontation prevails, the world of politics, poor and rich, religion, generational gaps, regional problems, men and women, etc. Today's Korean society is diagnosed as a 'super-conflict society'. Ahead of the presidential election, some politicians are ignoring the livelihood of the people, instigating conflict, and dividing the people. The damage is passed on especially to the marginalized and weak in society.
What took our love away? Do you think that our society has become harsher than before? Many people regret that there is no friendship between neighbors and that exchanges and meetings are disappearing. In fact, warm love is the most devalued and cheapest entity anywhere in modern society. In many places, right and wrong are debated, justice is discussed, but love is rare. That is why many people say they feel exhausted and thirsty for love. Why did this happen?
The result of either diagnosing that humans are imprisoned within a material civilization (Max Weber); or seeking only possessions, instead of life (Erich Fromm); lack of human rights, life, service, and sharing, so love and happiness have naturally become distant (Albert Schweitzer).
What touches our hearts? A column in the daily press, expressed power as a battle for position, the nature of politics; the atmosphere of the current political board is expressed as 'If we lose the election, we all die'. It was a column that awakened a sense of urgency and called for action, but it was depressing because it made the world into a 'squid game'. But we grew up and live in such an environment. "I have to win, if I lose it's the end of the game, I have to live before others."
A few days ago, he heard the story of a seminary student at the Joseph Clinic in Seoul, who was organizing the belongings of the late Seon Joseph (founder of the clinic with free medical services, was called "the Champion of the Homeless" or "the Albert Schweitzer of Korea"). Among the belongings, there was a letter from a homeless person, in which the doctor was addressed as 'the priest'. He was grateful that he received free treatment, so he called the doctor 'Father'. The doctor treated him like a human being with love, and love blossomed in the poor homeless man's heart. The core of the Church's teachings is love and sharing. This reality, in which we must face hardships soberly, is strict, but only true love gives us life and hope.
"The commandment of mutual love, which represents the law of life for God's people, must inspire, purify and elevate all human relationships in society and in politics. To be human means to be called to interpersonal communion" (Social Doctrine #33).
Happy Lunar New Year!
