Two men are waiting for a person named Godot. They are on a stage with a shriveled tree trunk waiting. He never arrives. Who is Godot? Or is it what is Godot? These words begin the column Word and Silence in the Catholic Peace Weekly.
The play Waiting for Godot by Samuel Becket is a parable of the never ending waiting in life. The two main characters with blank expressions are waiting for Godot and don't know why. They are not even sure of the time and place. Moreover, they don't even know if there is an agreement to meet. Like an old habit, they are just waiting. What in the world is Godot? Is it God, bread, liberty, hope? The author does not give an answer.
Suddenly, the new year approaches in our thoughts and we wait. The trees lose their leaves and wait for spring. On the streets, volunteers are waiting for contributions to help the needy. In the church the advent candles are lit, crib and carols are sung waiting for the one who is to come. We also have many who take to the streets with candles in their hands hopefully waiting.
What are we waiting for? Wanting the president to retire? Getting rid of useless and harmful systems and practices? Are we waiting for Christmas? The kingdom which Jesus proclaimed? For a light to overcome the darkness? For liberty and salvation?
Even with the change of the ruling power, the cozy relations between big business and government and corruption continues. "He will make justice dawn for you like the light" (Ps.37:6). Is this only a dream?
We have waited for a new way of doing politics, a new nation, a new era but it always ends in frustration. When the weeds are removed they return to the same spot. For a moment we see light, which quickly returns to darkness. Darkness will not easily disappear. It's not only our failure to pick a good leader. Something more than changing persons and structures is needed.
When the light comes does the darkness recede? Light has already come and will come again. Darkness is there because of the darkness we have in ourselves. We are submissive to power we are attracted to money and its desire.
Society will change to the degree that I pray. The light that I have in myself will be that which will shine and decrease the darkness. The work and effort that I expend to get rid of immorality and corruption will determine the results.
At the end of the play a youth appears and tells the two men that Godot will not come today, he will come tomorrow. The waiting was useless but one can not forget the promise that was given. We will wait again tomorrow. " In all this chaos there is one certainty we are waiting for Godot."
A priest responsible for evangelization in his diocese writes a column in the Catholic Times reminding the readers how important it is to look around and see those who are hurting for many different reasons.
Some have problems with income, some with an incurable sickness, some with family problems.... Each day they are faced with pain and a daily struggle. No matter the efforts that are made they find it difficult to go beyond the walls that enclose them: too high,firm, and cold.
He remembers seeing a public advertisement on TV some years ago which still remains with him today. It was a reminder of how a few seconds of concern for others adds to the beauty of the world in which we live.
An elementary school paper boy was delivering the morning papers and came to a house where the wall in front of the house was so high that no matter how much he tried to get the newspaper over the wall the paper fell back to his feet. Right at this time a middle-aged man came by and saw the predicament facing the lad. He took the newspaper and without difficulty threw it over the wall. The child looked at the man with a blank look on his face which quickly turned into a big smile. The whole scene did not take more than 6 seconds.
The writer reflects on the few moments that were taken from the adult to help the boy and the impression it left with the boy. Life is worth the efforts to do well. Things may be difficult but there are ways they can be overcome. People are around that are willing to help. Over and over in the boy's head, these thoughts were repeated, there are many ways out of difficulties giving him courage.
Jesus gave us the example of a mustard seed the smallest of seeds that in time becomes the nesting place for all kinds of birds. Likewise, our smallest act can be a way of giving joy, and strength to those who are the recipient of these kindnesses.
Back in 2014 when the pope came to Korea we experienced this kindness in every place he went. He was only here for four nights and 5 days but planted seeds of kindness everywhere he went. He visited with the families of those who died in the Sewol Ferry tragedy and listened to their complaints. He blessed individually all the handicapped that he met and shook the hands of all the 'comfort grandmothers' {those who suffered forced prostitution during the second world war} that he met. Everybody was an important encounter and gave many strength and courage to go on.
He was not a representative of a Church of prosperity, well-being and comfortableness but of a poor, scared and hurting Church, united in solidarity with those who were vulnerable and weak. Isn't this the way we need to walk as the community that Jesus founded?
"Are you sick? I am also sick." Writing in the With Bible magazine a teacher, author, and student of life meditates on the words above, words of a drama he remembers. The words expressed the love between two people, its depth, and breadth, words we do not often hear.
When he first heard the phrase Shakespeare came to mind and the tragedy of King Lear. The king was deceived by the sweet words of his two eldest daughters and he gave them the kingdom and all his possession only to be betrayed. When he lost all his power, angry, alone and without help-- was when he understood his situation. He was left only with two faithful subjects but began to understand the suffering of others.
To his faithful court jester, he says: "Come close, friend, you must be cold, I am also cold." Now that his situation has changed what he didn't see in the past he now sees and his heart is moved. Poverty has a great power for it allows one to see the humble things in life with different eyes.
At present one of the big problems with the upper one percent of the population is they don't see the suffering of the other members of society. They do not sympathize with those hurting but only think of ways to fill their own pockets.
Scriptures are filled with the mercy that Jesus showed those who were hurting. His first miracle showed concern for a married couple and their guests when they ran out of wine. The writer feels this was not unrelated to the coldness he felt from the authorities in society.
Ten percent of the population possess half of the wealth of the nation. With time this will increase and yet no thought of fixing the situation. Moreover, the top one percent are making the laws and monopolizing the benefits.
The middle class has for decades lost its place in society and we have no clear understanding of the crisis. And the Church is under the illusion that we are becoming middle class.
This ability to empathize comes not with connections with the top levels of society but with the lowest. The one who loves feels oneness with the other. Love feels pain, understands the hurt, consoles and gives strength.
He asks the readers if that is the way they love. Is this the way the Church loves? We attend Mass, pray and serve others, and it is not to receive compensation but to receive joy in loving and serving. This is the message of the Gospel. And yet at times our faith life borders on shamanism were we become sponsors to authority and money.
We know what Jesus wants from us (Luke 4, 18-19). He wants us to be free and yet we are bound by attachment, exploitation, neglect, oppression, distortion, and ideology. When a minister or priest is sent to an area where the people are well off the message is softened, not to upset the hearers. The fear of alienating the wealthy and losing them is always present.This is not the Church but a shrine worshiping a fetishistic religion.
When we are showing mercy and are empathetic to others we are already practicing half of the Gospel message. "Are you sick? I am also sick." To live this life we have to continually check to see if others are sick or well. This is love this is the Gospel. When we see others liberated from their pain this is happiness that comes from love.
A priest contemplating retirement in future years introduces his readers to his reflection on the future in an article in Bible & Life magazine.
One day while giving a retreat, he received a telephone call from a religious sister asking if he would say Mass for them. He looked at his schedule and since he was busy at that time, told them he had another commitment and was sorry, he would have to refuse. A few hours later he was giving a talk that made him recall the refusal.
Jesus on the mount of Gethsemane said to his disciples: "Pray that you will not fall into temptation." That temptation, he says, was to be concerned only for oneself and not to see the problems of others. Jesus was sweating drops of blood and they were tired and wanted to sleep and didn't perceive the anguish that Jesus was dealing with.
If he was a little bit more concerned with the needs of others who were asking for help with a little change in his schedule he could have accommodated the sister who called. He was concerned only about himself and fell into temptation.
A few days before in a retreat for priests, one of the priests expressed his concern for the years of retirement that were approaching. He found no good examples to imitate. Choosing a retirement home for priests is difficult for a person who has lived his whole life alone. Going to a country area and living near a mission station and helping with the pastoral work for the community makes it difficult for the pastor of the area. To farm a small area of land in the countryside is another possibility but they are all big steps to make.
After retirement, there is a possibility of 20 to 30 years of life. One needs health if not to be a burden on others. So, hold back and take care of yourself so that you will be prepared for retirement. Using all your energy to live a long life is not what is important and not to worry about life after retirement but to give yourself completely to the work that you are now doing. Isn't this the best preparation for retirement?
The writer mentioned his own present problem with health. He has a growth in his throat that will take a long time for healing and has been told by his doctor to cut back on its use. His work requires that he give talks leaving him with a serious conundrum.
One of his classmates mentioned to him: "Present society has for its icon, preserving health. One's health is of primary importance." Health and living a long time becomes one's greatest interest. Resurrection and God's kingdom disappears. This world and ourselves become all important. The desire to do what is difficult and need for sacrifice is forgotten.
Each day at Mass Jesus says through the lips of the priest: "Take this, all of you and eat of it for this is my body which will be given up for you." He hears from the inside the voice of Jesus: "What are you going to do???"
Dec. 4th was Human Rights Sunday in the Korean Catholic Church and begins the Social Doctrine Week. The bishop's message for the day reminds the Christians of tension experienced by the military build up, approval of the terror law, the death of a farmer in a peaceful demonstration, the plight of workers and the unemployed, voice of the 'comfort women' and the unsettled problems with the Sewol Ferry tragedy. These and many other issues need to be solved.
Both the Catholic Times and Catholic Peace Weekly have editorials and articles for Human Rights Sunday. The Church realizes that it may not have done a good job in catechizing the parishioners on the horizontal dimension of our faith life, concentrating for many years on the vertical: God and ourselves.
Many Christians want the Church to keep quiet on politics, security, science, economics, in these areas, they say, the Church has no authority. "The Holy Spirit is not involved and each one is free to follow their own conscience: a matter of choice." Christians need to keep their eyes closed, ears blocked and remain satisfied with personal salvation. Sad, but also a reminder that a poor job was done in the teaching of Christians.
Human Rights are concerned with the dignity of the human person who was made in the image of God. Consequently, unreasonably to restrain a person's inalienable rights and freedom is wrong. Government concern for family needs to be highlighted. Labor should always be considered more important than capital and skill.
The world of finance also has to be governed by virtue. The increase in wealth needs to be related to the human family community: selecting the poor as a concern for society and industry. The common good has to be always present in our thinking. Peace between nations is always the goal of our government taking all the necessary means. We need to stop the competition with armaments and gradually to reduce what we have.
We as Christians need to respect the personal rights of others. To make a just and a peaceful society we need to be willing to give up part of what we possess for the good of the greater community. What we have we need to possess wisely and share what we can with those who are in need. We need to be conscious of the solidarity with all our brothers and sisters.
In Korea, the names of the president and her friend from the past continue to monopolize the news with the escapades of Choi Soon-sil Gate. Like any drama or movie, it fascinates the populace and those involved continue to add to the story. With false belief and a strong ego, without a speck of personal guilt we continue the tug of war within the country.
A religious sister in the View from the Ark column of the Catholic Times gives the readers her understanding of what is happening. Very much like a screenplay that is performed before the eyes of the citizens, different from what we are accustomed. We have always had the struggle between good and evil. The good have mostly accepted very naively and passively the evil. However, here we have the pack of wolves and citizens wise as snakes and gentle as doves.
A citizens movement against distorted beliefs. Truth, logical thinking, instead of restlessness; peace, instead of egotistical attachment and stubbornness, politeness and constancy. These two states of affairs confronting each other are moving to a climax. Before the end, we will have many variables entering the picture. However the values of truth and love will be the results.
Those looking on from the sidelines are waiting for the truth to become manifested and this has not yet been the case. With the candlelight demonstrations, the citizens have come to a critical point. Here we have the anger of the populace coming to a head and the sign of their maturity. Tears in the eyes and a solemn demeanor is evident.
She quotes from the Book of Changes: "When our situation is difficult we change, we find understanding, and we will continue to live well. Heaven will come to our aid and it will not be harmful." She prays that the ringleaders of the mess the country is in will understand what is happening. And wonders how the citizens have been involved in accepting the false values of the times.
Citizens, because of what has happened have upgraded their concern for the county. They have made known what the citizens want from those running the government. They want to salvage the truth and want it carried out. This is the teaching of Jesus and a preparation to participate in the 'Paschal Mystery' a new way of living in Korea.
We are born into the world to live and one day die. So, what is the meaning of life and death? With these words, a doctor emeritus at the hospice center at a Catholic hospital begins a column in the Catholic Peace Weekly.
The hospice movement, he says, does a great deal to open us to the meaning of life and death. One of the ways of showing us what the completion of life is.
With the discoveries made in medicine especially antibiotics in the last century, we have had an extension of the average lifespan. In 1955 the ordinary lifespan of Koreans was 55.4 years it is now over 80.
Medicine's saving lives and extending the lifespan enabled society to avoid issues of death and care for the dying. Results are that many terminally ill cancer patients have serious pain problems in meeting death. In the intensive care unit of hospitals the patients are in unfamiliar surroundings with all kinds of mechanical gadgets and apparatuses that they have to deal with. Separated from their families, in many cases, alone to face death.
Precisely because of these problems the hospice movement began. An English physician Dame Cicely Saunders began work with the terminally ill in 1948, which eventually became the first hospice. Society, volunteers, clergy, family and many others worked together holistically to alleviate the suffering of those seriously sick who were facing death. The Little Company of Mary, religious sisters, were the group that began hospice work here in Korea in 1965. From there it spread to other parts of the country.
Our columnist has been working in hospice for the last thirty years. He has worked with those terminally ill from cancer and working with anti-cancer medicine. They cured a few and extended the lives of many. With the cure of some of the patients, he has found great satisfaction from his work. However, the majority, treatment extended their lives but the pain was there and this has bothered the doctor much and wonders why he ever got into the work with the dying sick, but this soon disappears.
He was a frequent visitor to the chapel where he expressed his frustration in not being able to do more. Visits to the Blessed Sacrament were often to complain but he always found consolation and found strength to continue his work in the hospice movement.
