In the Diagnosis of the Times Column of the Catholic Peace Weekly, a priest gives the readers some thoughts that help us understand the present world situation and solutions.
The situation in Germany after World War II was truly desperate. At least 3.2 million soldiers and 2.5 million civilians were killed during the war, and it is estimated that over 10 million people were injured.
The war trauma suffered by the German people was beyond words; 40% of their housing had already been destroyed, and hunger had become a daily occurrence, so the basic conditions for living as human beings had collapsed. Due to the territorial adjustments by the victorious powers, Germans living in various places were driven out, and the streets were filled with homeless people and orphans who could not even find a place to sleep to avoid the rain.
However, even in this desperate situation, Benedikt Kreutz (1879-1949), the president of Caritas in Germany at the time, said now was the time for Caritas. In other words, it is time to practice ‘Charity’, the organized practice of love for neighbors by the church community that starts from the love of God. Although we have lost hope and are groaning in extreme pain, we can shine new hope in God’s love by testifying to that love. Following Benedict Kreutz's words, Caritas Germany has been actively and systematically practicing love, especially for war refugees, and is evaluated as a valuable foundation for reviving German society.
The eventful year of 2024 ended in chaos in Korea due to the unexpected declaration of martial law and impeachment on December 3. Tens of thousands of citizens gathered in Yeouido in the bitter cold, waving lighted candles and reflecting on the meaning of democracy.
After many twists and turns, the impeachment was passed, but the domestic situation has not been stable since then. The National Assembly members continue to make statements to reassure the people. Still, the anxiety of the people and the aftereffects of martial law have become the burden of most people and made them walk through difficult times.
However, despite the highest number of self-employed business closures and the shrinking domestic economy, the political world is not gaining the people's trust by pursuing their own interests. It has become difficult to find the year-end and New Year’s atmosphere where one calmly ends the year and dreams of the excitement and hope of a new year. However, we cannot let go of hope. Just as the German Church and Caritas Germany showed after World War II, perhaps the Korean Church should shine a new light of hope by testifying to God’s love right now.
The Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity from the Second Vatican Council states, "Lay people strive for the evangelization and sanctification of humanity, and by penetrating the temporal order with the spirit of the Gospel, they work to perfect that order. In this way, lay people bear clear witness to Christ in the midst of the temporal order and serve human salvation. Since the lay state is one of living in the world and engaging in secular affairs, lay people are called by God to perform their apostolate in the world like leaven, burning with the spirit of Christ." Pope Benedict XVI emphasized that it is through love rooted in God that we can correct the confusion of modern society.
As we begin the new year of 2025, the writer fervently prays that it will be a year filled with hope and happiness through the children of the Lord who bear witness to God's love in their respective lives.
