Cultivating Ecological Sensitivity

Cultivating Ecological Sensitivity Through Invisible ‘Friendship with Nature’ A Salesian religious sister reports in the Catholic press of children in a Salesian kindergarten sharing friendship education on a rainy day.                                          

“For the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.” (Romans 8:22)

Where should God's people seek guidance in this age? They found the answer in the Lord's words: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15) Jesus laid His hands on each person suffering from various illnesses, healing them. He proclaimed the good news of the Kingdom of God and then departed for another town to fulfill His mission. (cf. Luke 4:40-43) 

He did not stop at external healing but proclaimed the good news of the Kingdom of God, leading all creation toward salvation. In Ecological Spirituality Friendship Education, the friendship formed with all creatures, dreams of a universal salvation that restores a beautiful world by respecting the unique place and role of every creature, sharing love, and proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom of God.

Children cultivate ecological sensitivity by forming friendships with nature as it changes with the seasons. They read stories and share each other's lives. Even on rainy days, children go for walks, expressing the reality and mystery that enters their small eyes poetically. 

“Trees drink the rain / Where do raindrops on grass slide down the blades go? / Thank you, rain! For cooling us and watering the plants...” 

When they encounter earthworms or insects that emerge from the ground during rain only to dry and die, they bury them with care and a heavy heart, opening their eyes to the realities of life and death. Becoming friends with trees allows one to feel the pain they endure as they shed their bark, a process that often accompanies the blooming of beautiful flowers in a warm spring after a cold winter.

“Tree! Wasn't winter terribly cold? Thank you so much for enduring hardship and blooming such lovely flowers for us to see. I'll learn from your warm courage,” reading the tree's toil, feeling gratitude, and cherishing this time of love.

Gardening is a precious learning space where, from the moment seeds meet soil before planting through to harvest, one discovers encounters, care, and the providence of the universe through God's love amidst diverse stories. This connects to the ‘field of the heart’ and the ‘seed of the heart,’ allowing one to glimpse and touch the unseen realm, reaching transcendence.

Objects that share our living space also become precious friends. We recognize the gratitude they offer us in their place, treat them kindly, and build friendships. Meditation through objects deepens our connection, leading to reflection on wasteful consumption habits, reducing trash, and cultivating the habit of respecting everything by keeping it in its proper place. 

The heart that befriends and cherishes nature and its objects also connects with people. Hearts open toward you, me, and the poor, enabling willing participation in solidarity activities. We encounter God in all things, dream of cosmic salvation, and sow seeds of life.

A Super-Aged Church

On the 8th and 9th, the ‘Future of the Catholic Church in Korea: Expert Colloquium’ was held at the Seoul Cathedral Spirituality Center. The story was reported on the Catholic website Here and Now.

The colloquium selected four key themes to focus on when envisioning the future of the Catholic Church in Korea. Participants studied relevant reference materials beforehand and then engaged in discussions with researchers and interested parties. Presentations on each topic were delivered by four researchers from the Our Theology Research Institute. Approximately 30 participants, including researchers from relevant church institutions, laypeople, and religious leaders, engaged in lively discussions.

The Our Theology Research Institute and <Catholic News Here and Now> will introduce a planned series of presentations and discussions on these four topics.

1. US-China Hegemonic Competition and Peace on the Korean Peninsula

2. AI, Democracy, Information Networks, Humanity's Future, and the Religious Implications

3. The Younger Generation and Gender Conflict

4. A Super-Aged Society, a Super-Aged Church

At the fourth session of the ‘Future of the Catholic Church in Korea, Expert Colloquium’ held on the 9th, a professor presented on the topic ‘A Super-Aged Society, a Super-Aged Church.’ He explained the necessary preparations and responses for the super-aged reality facing Korean society and the Church.

A super-aged society has significant economic impacts, including increased dependency ratios for the elderly and supply-demand imbalances in areas such as healthcare, housing, and employment. It also causes overall sociocultural changes, including weakened family ties and communities, and psychological breakdown.

Religion is no exception to these changes. Religious communities in Korea and other countries are experiencing profound transformations and crises. According to the professor, the Japanese church faces significant challenges to evangelism and growth due to the severe aging of its members and a drastic decline in the child and youth population. Churches in Europe, including Germany, are confronting the dual crisis of “declining faith and institutional decline.”

He emphasized, “The aging of society as a whole directly impacts the sustainability and service capacity of religious institutions,” adding, “For the future, religious institutions must strive harder to strengthen internal capabilities and cultivate human resources.” He further stated, “Religion must focus on universal human needs, seek interfaith cooperation, and demonstrate its social value through practical social service.”

The professor outlined religion's multifaceted role in addressing super-aged society issues as “providing spiritual and emotional support, strengthening social networks and community building, and delivering practical care and welfare services.” He explained that in Japan, Germany, and France, religious institutions are collaborating with other faiths, local communities, and governments to support elderly independence and establish and operate care systems in response to the aging of their societies.

He added, “Overseas cases confirm that religious institutions maximize their impact when they provide care centered on community and dignity, going beyond mere service provision. In a super-aged society rife with loneliness and social disconnection, the philosophy of ‘flowers over bread’ emphasizes that restoring human connection and dignity is more important than meeting material needs.”

The unique role of religion is already evident in the historical dedication of women's religious orders to charitable, educational, and medical work.

The Cardinal's Message

Cardinal Stephen Kim Sou-hwan left us yesterday, but what has been taking place in Myeong-dong was nothing short of a miracle.

Endless streams of mourners visited Seoul’s Myeong- dong Cathedral where the cardinal lay before his burial, an unusual scene even in a Catholic state.
Choi Jong-tai, a sculptor and the member of the National Academy of Arts, said,” I feel he was a saint like Mother Teresa.”

The cardinal indeed led a noble life. In 1966, when he became a bishop, he decided that he would be guided by the motto “For you and all the people,” and urged followers to do the same.
The motto came from his conviction that a believer must devote himself to other people, as Jesus did. And Cardinal Kim’s life was lived out according to this principle.

This is why 400,000 mourners waited in cold weather for three hours to see his face one last time.

What took place in Myeong-dong is just the beginning. Cardinal Kim’s lasting message was about love, and he ignited the flame of love not just in the 400,000 mourners who visited the cathedral, but in millions of people across the country.

On the Web sit of the Korean Organ Donor Program, the number of people who have promised to donate their organs after death had surged drastically.

The average number of people who sign up for organ donation is 25 per day. This surged six times on Feb.17, the day after the cardinal's death, 10 times on Feb. 18 and 30 times on Feb. 19.

More people promised to adopt abandoned babies and donate money to scholarship foundations.

The flame of love must spread and continue to blaze far and wide. Cardinal Kim’s message of love, sacrifice, volunteer work and reconciliation must reach every corner of our society.

His message must help politicians and leaders of our society, who m must work to fix their confrontation and division, and open themselves to reconciliation and cooperation. The message must give hope and courage to youths who feel frustrated because of the economic crises, and underprivileged people who life in hardship.

The cardinal must keep on living in our hearts. Even if we cannot live as he did, we must make an effort to carry out his message. His message of love has already created a miracle. The miracle must continue to cure Korea’s chronic disease.

Taken from JoogAng Daily 2/21 2009