Little that Money Can't Buy

This past spring Michael Sandel, the well-known  professor from Harvard University, was invited to Korea to lecture on the topic: What money can't buy, and it is very little. Writing in the Catholic Times a guest columnist gives us a few of the examples used by the American political philosopher in his courses on Justice for which he is famous.

We are living in a time when almost everything can be bought and sold. The examples the columnist gives are from the US. You can get a residence permit for $500,000, for a few thousand dollars  a surrogate mother, for a certain fee  a cell phone number:  direct contact with your own  specialist; with a money contribution to a college, the opportunity to send your children to the school, with a fee,  access to a carpool during rush hours in a fast lane, and a way of getting a clean jail cell.

On the visit of Pope Benedict to the States,  although the tickets were given out free there were advertisements selling them for $200.00. While on research in the States, he saw advertisements by  Ivy's league students who for a fee were selling semen and eggs, prices would depend on the intelligence and height of the students. There are few things that have not become commodities and ready to be bought and sold.

We hear Jesus say in the Scriptures: "You can't serve both God and Mammon" (Matt 6:24). The Church,  based on the Gospel, works to uphold the dignity we have as children of God and to be united with the poor of our society and to fight against the abuse of the  private profit rational of the market. The Church has to continue speaking loudly as a spokesperson for the poor and the alienated of our society.

Peace comes from the protection of the common good, respect for humanity,  freedom to express ourselves, and the practice of fraternal charity. May the flower of love and justice come.

Books by Koreans for Koreans

There are always people who are going to be opposed to what you say or do. Writing in the Catholic Times, a columnist  reminds us of this reality. She  is the chief staff member of Scripture Research in a Catholic University. University professors, she says, would like the books on scripture to be written by specialists, those with advance degrees in the field; our columnist has a different opinion.

There are many books on scripture published by specialists, but is it necessary, she asks, that the application of the teachings also be from specialists? Why not take advantage of those who may not be specialists but have many years of experience in living the gospel message, and have volunteered their services to teach in parishes and  small Christian communities? The Koreans are particularly suited in doing this, she believes, since their disposition is naturally sensitive and responsive to their own and others feelings. Women are more developed in this area than are men, and this aptitude is especially valuable when applied to the books on Scripture. The books she has read are, for the most part, she says, cerebral, dealing with the world of concepts and the Western way of thinking.

Many of the books are translated from the West and the ordinary Catholic finds them difficult, boring, and of little interest. Wouldn't it be better,she asks, to address the needs of our parishioners and their questions, which arise spontaneously from their own Korean sensibilities?

Those who are members of the Scripture Research Group are graduates of universities and have gone on to take at least two years of training in theology. They have taught in parishes and in small village communities. What they have experienced they have written in their books. They are able to explain in ordinary everyday language what the specialists have written in their books. Since their writings  are  examined by the specialist, there is no danger of wrong teaching or errors in the material.

Because Catholicism has grown rapidly in recent years in Korea, isn't it time, she asks, to have more  books written by Koreans  that address the needs of our Korean Catholics?

Living in Harmony with Nature

In Korea before 2009, unused chemical synthetic medicines were thrown away, either flushed down bathroom toilets or put in the trash, polluting the rivers and soil.  Now, unused medicines are collected in receptacles at the pharmacies by the government health centers, and disposed of safely.

A  Culture of Life Committee member, who is a doctor of Oriental medicine, writes about the difference in the manner of disposing of  Oriental and Western medicines. Many people go the Oriental medicine clinics to ask for what's left-over from the making of the  medicines in order to fertilize their gardens. These medicines are considered safe by everyone, since they are made from the same stuff we are made of, from natural materials.

From the first chapter of Genesis, we know that what God made was good, and that what he made was given to us to use and care for. It's obvious, he says, that we have not done a good job of caring for it.

With the increased use antibiotics the germs and viruses have become stronger and more difficult to overcome, requiring even stronger antibiotics to achieve the same level of protection: a vicious cycle. In the process we are producing super-viruses, making it more difficult for our immune systems to fight against disease. The rational of Oriental medicine is to work in harmony with the body and the immune system. Strengthening the immune system helps the body to regain its former vigor to resist the attacks of the microbes and disease causing elements, using only natural means.   It's an environmentally friendly way of treating the body.

The advances made by science are dazzling. However, with the breakdown in the order of creation and the indiscriminate use of scientific techniques, these scientific advances have made humanity uncomfortable, and it may come to a point of self-destruction.  When human life is in harmony with our environment then all tends to go well, because we  are part of creation, and natural medicine is also a part of God's providence. It would be well to keep in mind, the doctor says, the lessons learned from the Tower of Babel.  

Meant to be Beautiful Flowers

We were all destined to be like beautiful flowers that need the light of the sun to survive, writes a columnist of the Catholic Times. But too many of us, seemingly unaware of our destiny, are living in the shade: trying to escape  pain and sadness by escaping into the momentary happiness of sensual pursuits. Why is the world filled with so many unhappy people? he asks. Because we don't understand what life is meant to be, he says. Because we don't know or are ignoring the only life goal that will make us truly happy.

He mentions a report indicating that over 80 percent of people have an inferiority complex, depression often developing because of this lack of self-esteem. Some retire and become passive; others become excessively active, trying to overcome this feeling of inferiority by achieving more than others. 

It's not healthy, he advises, to compare ourselves with others. Because others like to bungee-jump doesn't mean we have to bungee-jump. Why do we waste time and energy trying to duplicate what others like to do?  We should be content to do what we are best suited to do, content to nurture our own particular aptitudes and skills.

We are all different; we are all unique. I have my way of living, others have theirs. There is no reason why we should desire to imitate the way others live. It is when we try to be like another, he says, that we will have difficulties.  No matter who the person is, whether rich or poor, socially prominent or not, college educated or not, everyone experiences the sorrows of life.Life in the shade, as he describes the condition.

We can drive away this darkness, he says, by becoming aware of the light we carry within us. It is why we were created; it is our true name. And like the flower that  turns to receive the light of the sun, we, as people of faith, need to do the same to be near our own sun, whose light will guide our way in life. That is our role as humans. We were destined to live in the light, to be light.  Our problem, he says, is that we are living in the shade. Our enlightenment will not only brighten our spirits. It will brighten the whole world.

Globalization the Good and the Bad

Globalization is our reality. We ride in foreign cars, eat in franchise restaurants, drink coffee grown in countries most of us have never heard of, and search the world wide net for information. We are nearly as familiar with other cultures as we are of our own, and become troubled when we learn of human rights violations in other countries. And, of course, the environment concerns all of us, regardless of where we live, and we do not find it odd when we hear that some of our fellow citizens are reaching out to those suffering in other countries to help them solve some of these problems.

A priest writing in the Kyeongyang magazine says that the increasing globalization of the world gives us more "light," which benefits the world economy, but also some "darkness," which harms the poorer countries of the world.

In the encyclical Development of Peoples:"... certain concepts have somehow arisen out of these new conditions and insinuated themselves into the fabric of human society. These concepts present profit as the chief spur to economic progress, free competition as the guiding norm of economics, and private ownership of the means of production as an absolute right, having no limits nor concomitant social obligations" (#26).

Neo-liberalism, the thinking behind the drive to implement globalization, is a cause of concern to many. In the past, it  was the competition with within a country that was a concern; today each country is competing with all other countries of the world. Employers are looking for skilled cheap labor and going overseas for tax relief, destroying the social  safety-net within a country and increasing the disparity between the rich and the poor.

In Korea, the FTA (Free Trade Agreement) has raised serious concerns. It is represented as a win-win situation, but in a country with little natural resources and dependent on trade is that the reality? This subject requires reflection to determine the final results of the so-called win-win situation.

Who is globalization for and what is it for? This is a question that needs to be asked, and answered. Pope John Paul II said,"In itself [globalization] is neither good nor bad, it all depends on who is in control." Is it helping the many or the few? 
 
Economic activity is an important dimension of society, but it is not the only dimension. We can't reduce everything to the selling and buying of material goods. Economic activity is meant to serve humanity. It is not a tool to stimulate the greed of a few. 
Economics plays a huge role in today's world, and we often ignore its seamier side as revealed in the disparity between the rich and the poor, increased unemployed, worker discontent, and the skyrocketing debt of nation states, as well as individual debt. Hearing of these troubling issues has saddened all of us. In what direction should this process of globalization go?  Will it turn out to be globalization with solidarity, without alienation? Or a greater polarization between those that have and those who don't? The answer will depend on us.

Knowing the Basics

"Everything we need in life is learned in kindergarten" is an insight often heard, suggesting that having a basic understanding of life is sufficient to live a good life. The desk columnist  of the Catholic Times would also like us to go back to the basics of our religion to improve our faith life. His reflection begins by noting that a drama on Korean TV, "The Chaser," which has become popular recently, is very entertaining, although it has no well-known stars and no romance, just a very simple story. But it  grabs the attention of the viewer, in his opinion, because it has the basics of a good drama: a captivating plot, well-crafted, with good acting and direction.

In studies and sports, and in many other endeavors, no matter the innate ability one may have, if we don't know the basics success is not possible. If a person in sports does not have the physical strength and know the basic requirements of the sport,  he will not go very far and will face frustration.

The basics are important in any field that one enters. In Korea, traffic accidents are mostly caused by failing to follow the basic rules of driving. It may not show up in the beginning, but one day it will.

In the spiritual life, when we are faced with tribulations and suffering, it will not be the techniques or abilities we may have that will overcome the difficulties. It will be knowing the basics: not trusting in yourself, but trusting in God and surrendering to him. It is getting to know Jesus and  doing what he wants; not merely going through some religious exercise. We have to truly live what we do; going through the motions, religiosity, is concern for the externals.

If we are to make head-way in the spiritual life, we need to check to see if we have the basics. This requires that we read and make an effort to live the life of a Christian. It means living not my way but God's way, searching for his will.  Without the basics, it is impossible to live the Christian life. It requires a love of God, continually relating with God in prayer, giving thanks, reading his word, and doing our utmost to live it.

Tossing the Ball

On the spiritual page of the Catholic Times, the writer reflects on the words of a colleague who told him that volley ball can help in living a more spiritual life. There is a great deal that  sports can teach us on the way to live, and although the writer never had much interest in sports, he understood what his friend was saying after seeing a volley ball game on television.

Two teams are facing each other on the court. The tall players at the net are ready to spike the ball into the opposing team's court. His friend mentioned how at  first his eyes where on the tall men on the front line, close to the net. They were the point scorers but he soon became conscious of the players who were tossing the ball to those at the net to enable them to spike the ball. His priest friend said that it was some time before he began to realize what was happening on the court.

The second line is there to toss the ball to the tall players in just the right way, with the proper height and speed, to make an easy spike of the ball into the opposite court for a point.  The players on the  opposite court prepare themselves to block the ball, with all players involved in the effort to keep the ball in play. But especially important are the players on the second line, whose task is not only to keep the ball in play but to toss the ball up to the tall players at the net to make the points.

When the writer first heard his friend speak about how watching a volley ball game can deepen one's spiritual life, he had smiled. But after watching a game on TV, he understood what he was saying.  The front line players, those actually scoring the points, were dependent on the second line, who with their knowledge and team play were actually in control of the game.

He transferred the volley ball strategy to the parish, and saw that many Christians, who are not very visible on the 'front lines,' are helping others who are more visibly involved by 'tossing' them whatever is necessary to come closer to God. They are not the leaders but are doing  whatever is necessary for the leaders to their job well.

Once this fact is pointed out to us, it's easily understood but also easy to forget. It is not always those in the limelight who are the important players. In life, our columnist   wants us to remember, there are many unacknowledged players who are tossing the ball to others on the front line who are making a difference.