The Korean Martyrs of Japan

In the recent Catholic Times a Korean Sister gives us brief sketches of  15 Koreans that are listed among the  205 Japanese Martyrs. They were familiar with  13 of the Korean martyrs but the list has been extended to 15. They go back to the time when Koreans were forcibly taken  to Japan  during the invasion of Korea in the last part of the 16th century.

These Christians built a Church in 1610 in Nagasaki for the  Korean Catholics, the first Korean Church. This year marks the 100 year of the annexation of Korea by the Japanese and the 400th year of the building of St. Lorenzo Catholic Church; it was torn down  in 1620 when Christianity was banned in Japan. To commemorate the event a Mass will be celebrated on the Feast of St. Lawrence on August 10 by the archbishop of the Nagasaki Diocese.

The Koreans who are in the group of martyrs that were beatified in 1867 by  Pius IX  were beheaded  or  burned at the stake. The first was martyred in 1619 and the last  in 1627.

The first Korean martyr on the list is Cosmas Takuea taken to  Japan as a prisoner of war. He was a devoted servant to the master who brought him back to Japan;  he was given his freedom and his owner also bought him a house. This gave rise to jealousy on the part of the Japanese. He was picked up for sheltering two Dominican Priests and remained with them in prison.  He was burned at the stake showing great strength right up to the time of his death. His wife Agnes and son Francisco were beheaded three years later.

Blessed Caius has been written about rather frequently. He was looking for the truth by going to a temple and living the hermit's life  when he was taken as a prisoner to Japan. He was freed by his master and he  returned to a temple where he was baptized by a Jesuit priest. From that time, he lodged with the Jesuits and wanted to enter the Jesuits but did not receive permission. He did receive permission just before he died:  first Korean Jesuit Religious. Before his death, he was told that if he ceased  spreading Christianity and baptizing he would be freed. He replied that  while he has life he will continue teaching and baptizing. This is the way he went to his death in 1624 by burning at the stake.

The cruelty exhibited in Japan in the persecution would be difficult to match in the history of Christianity. The Church in Japan is still a very small percentage, but it is a strong community. The Koreans are well represented in the martyrology of Japan, and the Koreans even have their first Korean Saint in the 26 martyrs who died by crucifixion  in Nagasaki--  St. Leo Karasumaru. He was baptized by the Jesuits in 1589,  became the first  Korean Franciscan tertiary and chief catechist for the friars. Born in Korea and died in Nagasaki in 1597, he was canonized on June 8 1862 by Pope Pius IX.

Leadership That May Surprise

 A few days ago a woman came for a visit, and before she left presented me with a problem: "What do you do when you find it difficult to work with another?" It was affecting her health and the health of the other members of the group.
 
The head of the parish co-op was a very capable woman but had difficulty accepting others less capable, in a working partnership. The members elected her for the job because of her talents, but they paid  a high price for that talent. My visitor was asking what was she to do?

A recent article by a priest in the Catholic newspaper tells us about a pastor that considered himself without talent. His sermons did not move hearts, he had no leadership qualities but for some strange reason, he thought, all went along fine. The parish had a lot of vitality, many participated in the many activities. The pastor was of the opinion that the Christians made up for his inability.

The writer tells us the priest listened to the Christians and was always present to them in their works, which gave them confidence and  encouragement to give of their time and efforts for the community and  society. Absence of ability that the priest thought he lacked was cause for the  vitality of the parish. He was a laid-back leader and with no conscious effort the force behind the life of the parish.

Talents are not always the kind that you write about or others take note of,  but when examined closely  talents or gifts come in all sizes and shapes. Most of these gifts are not recognized by the individual, but they are in many cases the reasons for the harmony and the success of many  works.

Members of the society at the next election should elect a virtuous member  without  obvious  talents, and all work together to help her function as leader. If the membership is united in trying to make the co-op grow, they may be surprised at the great change that takes place in the new leader and in the group working together in partnership, and united in their goal. There are many types of leadership and staying in the back and helping others to take their place in the front lines is not a type of leadership that may  get kudos from others, but in Church groups especially , it develops leaders, and  elicits cooperation that may surprise.

East Like the West Uses Common Sense

Continued from yesterday.

Advice for fostering orginality
51) Get rid of preconceived ideas that you had up until now. Receive all with a clean slate.
52) Cross question--why, how.
53) See yourself objectively.
54) Make sure of your goal and with determination head for it.
55) Do not be intimitated by the situation but go ahead with freedom.
56) See what the signs of the times seem to signify.
57) Be open to all kinds of information.
58) Be ready to receive inspiration and hints from novels and art.
59) Broaden the number of your acquaintances
60) Take regular time each day to think.

Advice on how to free yourself from pressure of daily life
61) Be positive in your thinking
62) Leave your selfish ways and find ways of doing something meaningful for another.
63) Make a stardard for life and don't depart from it.
64) Make concrete long and short range targets for your efforts.
65) Find someone in your field who is skilled.
66) Make plans that fit your capabilities.
67) Make a mind picture of what you are thinking and want to do.
68) Prioritize and write down what you are planing to do the next day, before going to bed .
69) Individualize your love to others.
70) Even in despairing circumstances, never give up your hope.

Advice for getting younger
71) Keep on growing.
72) Hold on to your dream.
73) Have a sunny disposition.
74) Meet new people, have new hobbies, read new books.
75) Be big hearted
76) Let young people stimulate you.
77) Be busy.
78) Be ready to work on a different plan.
79) Do something good.
80) Volunteer in a great work.

Advice for communicating with another
81)Listen carefully to the other and be ready to respond.
82) Listen to the way the other person is making his points.
83) Make an effort to understand the other, and keep an interest in what is being said.
84) Recognize the other's values.
85) Encourage the one you are talking to and and speak postively.
86) Do not make known his secrets.
87) Speak about weighty things only at the proper time.
88) Make your emotions, feelings, and your inner scars known by your words.
89) Don't prejudge by your standards what the other person is saying.
90) Show that you are listening.

How to spend a satisfying day
91) Think simply.
92) Don't be too afraid of results.
93) Enjoy your work.
94) Have a wholesome hobby.
95) Find satisfaction in your present life.
96) Speak positively and with delight with the persons you meet.
97) Face your difficulties; don't run away from them.
98) Adorn the present moment with success.
99) Live within your plans.
100) Forget the unpleasant quickly.

East Like the West Uses Common Sense

Some of the e-mails I receive regularly come from anonymous sources and often contain words of wisdom written in Korean for Koreans. The following maxims, from one of those emails, are based on common sense readily accepted by most of us. "The East is East and West is West and never the two shall meet" may have been true at one time but with globalization this is rapidly changing.

If we could accomplish what these maxims propose, we would be better for it. For the Christian, however, there are some zingers that would make us hesitate. Listed below is the translation from the Korean, part one; part two will follow tomorrow.

Advice in becoming alienated
1) Laugh at the person behind his back.
2) Talk only about yourself.
3) When somebody is talking, interrupt and talk about your own deeds.
4) When someone says something not to your liking, let your contempt show.
5) Instead of being concerned about the other's interest, talk about your own.
6) Always be more interested in yourself than the other.
7) Consider the other as of no value.
8) When meeting another, argue and always intend to win.
9) Point out another's faults and try always to correct them.
10) Never say sorry for your faults.


Advice in being a charming person
11) Be joyful and never lose your sense of humor.
12) Listen carefully to the other.
13) Do not play favorites.
14) Keep a promise as you would your life.
15) Always be thankful.
16) When necessary don't hesitate to do what you have to do.
17) Go in search of your dream and always strive to the utmost.
18) Be careful of your appearance.
19) Be careful of your speech.
20) Don't be stingy.

Advice in avoiding stress
21) Get up 15 minutes earlier than usual. Begin the day with some reserve time.
22) Have a plan for the day.
23) Carry a book with you and read when you have the opportunity. Avoid being bored.
24) When you have a problem, consult with someone.
25) Be careful of your appearance.
26) Have space for yourself.
27) Do not fret by thinking about your worrries; write them down on a piece of paper.
28) Do not put off doing things that you hate to do.
29) Take a bath and get plenty of sleep.
30) Do some daily exercises that will make you sweat.


Advice to accomplish what you want
31) Do what you have to do before what you want to do.
32) Give all your energy to the work you are doing until done.
33) Do not give up on it even if you do not see any change.
34) If you fail, try again, and if you fail again, look for the cause.
35) Look for someone with the same objectives.
36) Daily record your progress on a project and renew the goal.
37) Even in the worst of circumstances, do not give up.
38) Use the knowledge and the information you have received.
39) Adhere to what you consider right and never let go.
40) Do more than you are expected to do.

Advice in not losing your self respect
41) When you want to do something, don't ask for permission, do it.
42) Look the other in the eye.
43) Make sure of your position and speak it out honestly.
44) Do not use useless words.
45) When you refuse something, do it clearly.
46) Don't become a victim; if you don't like something, say so.
47) If someone doesn't listen to your opinion then don't associate with him.
48) Make clear that you are ready to meet the superior of the person you are talking to.
49) Take a cool attitude towards a person trying to use you.
50) Do not consider yourself a strong person.

4th Lateran Council and Drinking in Korea

They say the more things change, the more they stay the same; in the following case that may be true. A Korean priest writing to other priests goes back to the 4th Lateran Council (1215) for advice on problems with drink.


In Canon 15 of the council, "All clerics shall carefully abstain from drunkenness. Wherefore, let them accommodate the wine to themselves, and themselves to the wine. Nor shall anyone be encouraged to drink, for drunkenness banishes reason and incites to lust. We decree, therefore, that this abuse be absolutely abolished. In some localities the drinkers bind themselves suo modo to an equal portion of drink and, in their judgment, the hero of the day is the one who out drinks the others. Should anyone be culpable in this matter, unless he heeds the warning of his superior and makes suitable satisfaction, let him be suspended from his benefice or office.

" The prophets were also strong on the dangers of drinking. "Woe to the champions at drinking wine, the valiant at mixing strong drink" (Isaiah 5:22).

In Canon 17, "It is a matter for regret that there are some minor clerics and even prelates who spend half of the night in banqueting and in unlawful gossip, not to mention other abuses, and in giving the remainder to sleep. They are scarcely awakened by the diurnal concerts of the birds. Then they hasten through matins in a hurried and careless manner. There are others who say mass scarcely four times a year and, what is worse, do not even attend mass, and when they are present they are engaged outside in conversation with lay people to escape the silence of the choir; so that, while they readily lend their ears to unbecoming talk, they regard with utter indifference things that are divine. These and all similar things, therefore, we absolutely forbid under penalty of suspension, and strictly command in virtue of obedience that they celebrate diligently and devoutly the diurnal and nocturnal offices so far as God gives them strength."

Drinking is something that Korean men enjoy and is not a small part of the many problems in family and society. The drinking culture is pervasive and difficult to avoid if you want to associate with others. There have been some changes over the years, but the culture still pressures many to partake in the drinking ritual even if they feel it best not to. Relating with others is thought to be easier when everyone is sharing a drink, and perhaps dropping a few inhibitions as well.

Not wanting to be misunderstood, the priest finishes his article by quoting from I Timothy 5:23, "Stop drinking water only. Take a little wine for the good of your stomach, and because of your frequent illnesses."

A Work of Love-- Copying the Scriptures

A columnist on the opinion page of the Catholic Times tells us of her time on the Internet. Each day she goes to the Seoul Diocesan Catholic Good News site (www.catholic.or.kr) where the whole Bible is online and available to copy, but any mistake made, and you cannot proceed until it's corrected. She was thankful to those who developed such a wonderful program.

It is helpful, she realized, not only in studying Scripture but also in language study. More than 20,000 have used the program, with 500 being less than 15 years old, surprising her that so many young people were involved with the program.

She mentions that she has set aside time both in the morning and evening to continue writing. Depending on what she is writing, she experiences joy or sorrow, hope or consolation.

Recently, when she finished writing the last sentence of the Apocalypse: "The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you all. Amen!" she received words of congratulations and was told that she started writing on Jan.30, 2008, and finished on June 18, 2010. One person copied the whole Bible in 15 days; one person did it 17 times.

The very next day she went back online to begin writing again and has progressed to Abraham. Many parishes invite their members to participate in these programs by using their own parish websites. There are four ways to participate: copying the Gospel of the day, copying some or all of the Bible as an individual, copying by different groups, each participating as a community, and copying as a member of the Good News group that works as a community.

The Bible sold in all Catholic churches, and bookstores is the one used in the liturgy. Having a number of Bibles to compare is a plus but using one Bible also has advantages. In many of the parishes, parishioners come to the pastor after finishing their hand written copies of the Scriptures to be signed by the pastor, including the occasional parishioner who has copied the whole Bible. It is a difficult task but many receive blessings from the undertaking, a sign of the devotion of many Catholics to live their spiritual life on a deeper level.

Atheism in Korean Life

In a pastoral column, a priest mentions a middle school girl who for many years never missed Mass and was very active in catechism class. She didn't talk much but on a number of occasions was a big hit with everybody. Whether taking the role of the Blessed Mother in a musical or playing other parts in religious plays, she always stood out. However, this soon began to change, with the priest thinking that she was just growing into womanhood.

One day on returning to the rectory, he heard voices and found the girl fighting with some boys and using all kinds of foul language, which surprised him. He was planning to talk with her, when a couple of days later, she came on her own to see him and asked, "Father is there a God?' How much absurdity had she seen in her life, by the time she was in middle school for her to ask that kind of question, the priest wondered. She was better prepared to believe in the devil, she said. She talked for two hours and then put her face in her hands and started to cry. She finally got up from the chair, laughed, thanked him, and said, as she left, there has to be a God.

The priest mentioned that the young girl lived with her grandmother in a basement single room. The grandmother made enough to get along by picking up discarded rubbish in the neighborhood, so it was a hard life for the young girl. There are many like her who the priest hopes will find strength and be able to feel the presence of God in their lives.

Some months ago, there was a movement, like in the West, to advertise on buses against Christianity. They used a quote by Einstein: "I cannot conceive of a God who rewards and punishes his creatures." The Protestant protest was so loud that the bus company discontinued the ads. (See UCAN.)

Atheism will make inroads in Korean Society in the years ahead, as it has in the West, with more movements organizing for this purpose. The society we are making, with the breakdown of traditional values, will be fertile ground for this type of nihilism.

Korea is already considered to be one of the countries that is atheistic; surveys show that over 50 percent have no religious beliefs. Little thought is given, however, to the fact that "no belief" does not necessarily mean atheism. Korea is a country where the unseen world for many is very real. Though this does not always translate into a religious belief, it is far from being atheism.