Koreans enjoy using aphorism, and Catholics using what we called
spiritual nosegays. They were like a bouquet of flowers
that we could take out when needed to overcome other odors that were
harmful or at least distracting us from what was important.
Articles
in both Catholic papers, mentioned a movement among the different
religious groups in Korea to live what we believe: living according to
our identity. One writer quotes Pope Francis in his talk to the Asian
Bishops while here in Korea. "If we are to speak freely, openly and
fruitfully with others, we must be
clear about who we are, what God has done for us, and what he asks of
us."
Identity is a difficult word, the representative
of the 7 different religious groups did decided in the common campaign to live what we
believe: like a mother, like a human, like a citizen, like a Catholic,
like a worker, like a believer. A consensus among the different
religious groups in a campaign to work together is itself of great
import.
The declaration of the campaign listed: to
look first for the reasons for our problems in ourselves, to understand correctly
what we do, and act accordingly. See our mission directly,
and make it our starting point; pledge to act in the family, in
the church and in society like a member of that community should.
Not an easy thing to do. We have to understand who we are and realize how
precious we are and live in the way we know we should. Cardinal Kim who
was the ordinary of Seoul is quoted as saying: " It took him a life
time to have what his head knew descend to his heart." The effort will be
that of a martyr.
Each religious group will have
different resolutions that they will explore and carry out according to
their beliefs. The hope within the Church is that it will spread to all
the dioceses in the country.
The pastoral head of the Seoul
Parish Council reminds us of the sinking of the Sewol and how easy
it is to have all our problems sink like the ferry into the unknown. In order to change
the lack of trust in society we need to live according to the
will of God, which is living what we believe.
Koreans are tired. They have the longest working hours, and children the longest hours for study. The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development
(OECD) in its survey of 18 countries showed that Koreans had the least
hours of sleep for both adults and children. Korea in the last 50
years was the country that achieved the fastest rate of growth, a
sign of their diligence, and if they did not achieve this success with
sacrificing even sleep would it have been normal? The leading role in
this leap in progress are now the elders in our society,
and of 91 countries, Korea was listed as the 67th in welfare
programs for the elderly, which the columnist considers a big
embarrassment.
The columnist is an educator who
writes in Window from the Ark of the Catholic Times. Our present
competitive society directs us to will what we want to achieve, but at a
great price, sacrificing leisure and overworking; often times feeling
guilty for resting and becoming addicted to work. The environment in
which they work, pushing for efficiency and production leads a large
percentage of the work force to feel burnt out.
At this
stage there is a loss of desire. Similar to an excess of voltage in an
electric line which causes the fuse to blow. The worker loses the meaning for life, and runs out of energy.
Burnout
Syndrome does not only affect the person but his family, the work place
and society.When together with others we have the meeting of a tired
society. This becomes contagious, easily spreads and we have the making of psychological problems.
Rest
and leisure are not a waste of time. Why is it that we don't
understand the reason for rest and leisure? He mentions a study made
that showed that those who have leisure and sufficient sleep are better
able to fight off dementia: the best and cheapest way of fighting
off the aging of the brain.
God made us to play. He
shows us a number of passages where we have the day of rest,
festivities, dancing, and banquets.There is a need for a rhythm in life of work and rest. We are made to celebrate-- homo festivus. The Sabbath Day is the best example of this. He concludes the article by
asking the church to take notice of the seriousness and sorrow in
society and help the tired ones to enjoy the creation that God has
given us.
“I praise the dance, for it frees people from the heaviness of matter and binds the isolated to community” [Augustine]
We often hear our large scale enterprises must do well, if the common
people are to live well. Jobs are made, incomes improve: at first
glance this makes a lot of sense. A priest sociologist working with
laborers, in an article in the Catholic Times, does not agree.
Government
apparently believes this to be true, and does what it can to make the
growth of these conglomerates as smooth as possible. Removing many of
the obstacles that prevent growth. However, is it true that the workers
benefit from this largesse?
When big business does
well, and we have the trickle down effect as it is called, the overflow
of wealth from the big enterprises and the rich will enter the lives
of the masses--no proof, only an hypothesis and common
belief.
Government and the Korea Bank Statistics shows something different. Under the government of the past president the income of the conglomerates continued to increase with the business friendly policy. The income of families on the other hand continued to decrease. Why are the incomes of the families supposedly increasing, and why more poverty?
Pope
Francis has expressed the opinion that there is little to warrant this
kind of thinking, and said so in Joy of the Gospel. "In this context,
some people continue to defend trickle-down theories
which assume that economic growth, encouraged by a free market, will
inevitably succeed in bringing about greater justice and inclusiveness
in the world. This opinion, which has never been confirmed by the facts,
expresses a crude and naive trust in the goodness of those wielding
economic power and in the sacralized workings of the prevailing economic
system. Meanwhile, the excluded are still waiting."
In
1997 the Catholic Conference of England on the issue of the common good
was sharp in criticism of this thinking-- when the rich get richer the
situation of the less wealthy and the poor is improved-- The bishops
expressed doubt on this position, and said there is no evidence of this
and goes against common sense. This kind of thinking only goes to
justify the search for wealth.
When big business does
well this does not translate into the good for the ordinary citizen. For
this to happen the government has to get involved with regulations to
make this happen, and to extend the welfare system to include more
people. When the government sides with big business and abrogates many
of the regulations this is not only hurting the citizens but not making for an efficient financial market. If the government is to take an interest in the life of the citizens
they have to be conscious of the solidarity of the basic community and the
common good.
Both Catholic papers in their recent issue, introduced to the readers the statistical report on the
condition of Catholicism in Korea for 2014. Summarizing: there
was an increase of 5% of those entering the church from the
previous year, and another decrease to 20.7 % of the Catholics
who go to Sunday Mass.
In 1999 the index of those
attending Sunday Mass dropped to the 20% level from (29.5%); 15 years later it will be
entering the 10% zone. In 1980 the church was at the height of its
favorable opinion among the citizens, but this did not show in the
devotional life of the parishioners nor in their community life.
From
1999 there has been an increase of 40.89% in the number of
Catholics. However, sacramental life, group activities and
religious studies have decreased. We can't base everything on these
statistics but they do show direction. The future for Catholicism
in Korea is not overly bright and demands some serious concern and
alternative proposals.
One of the editorials mentions
the 'Pope Francis effect' on the church may have some truth, but it
should show in the numbers going to Mass and the Sacraments and this is
not the case. Until we see the change in those who frequent the Sacraments and attend Mass, and become involved in group activity we can
not speak about the 'Francis effect' in Korea, was the conclusion.
The
number of priests and religious is also showing a decrease from previous
years. The age of the Catholics is also increasing with the ages from
50 to 55 being the largest with 9.8%. Those under 19 have
decrease to 3.6%. Those over 80, the women number 74.3%.
Korea is listed as the 46th country with the
largest number of Catholics, and in Asia they are the fifth after the
Philippines, India, Indonesia and Vietnam according to the Statistical
Yearbook of the Church.
Numbers of those falling away
from the Church is seen by the drop in those going to
Sunday Mass, and the numbers who are no longer going to Confession. The
task of those responsible for the pastoral work will need to find solutions to stem the tide, and new ways to evangelize those in the pews.
In the Peace Weekly Column the writer brings to our attention the
seven capital sins which has always been an important concern in the spiritual life of the sensitive Catholic: pride, avarice, lust,
envy, gluttony anger and sloth.
Our ancestors of the faith in Korea were familiar with the book of Diego de Pantoja (1571-1618) Seven Victories over the Seven Capital Sins.
This book gave the antidote for ridding ourselves of the seven capital
sins and was influential in the spiritual life of the first
Christians of Korea. They followed right reason and the laws of nature
in practicing the virtues with little difficulty because of the
Confucian traditions with which they were familiar.
They found in the makeup of Jesus and his public life-- the unlimited gift of
mercy he wanted to give us. In today's world it is difficult to experience and practice mercy.
The writer says he begins with
himself in not being familiar with the capital sins. Pride is see in all
aspects of his life. not only is he stingy but greedy, lazy and quick to
envy and gets angry. I am number one, in the presence of the strong and
influential he is humble but with those who are in his eyes lower in
social status he can be cold, discriminating and not notice them.
Money is a cause of abuse, with a little too much to drink he
can be overcome with false bravery, and consider himself different from
others. But when he comes to his senses he realizes that he is in the service of an idol and in need of mercy.
In today's
world everything is controlled by money, and the capital sins are no
longer evil habits but the standard for what makes the world go round.
Living in a society with unlimited competition, not seen as something
bad-- there is a need to trample others-- the capital sins are
necessary.
The Church itself has become infected with
this kind of thinking. The treatment of the handicapped, the hiring of
irregular workers for the church, are examples of this thinking. We are
told by the higher clergy that to search for peace of mind in our
religion is not a good, and we have 8 out of 10 who do not attend
Mass on Sunday. Catholics are not only at Mass to receive the grace from the
sacraments but also to hear words of consolation from the priests. Reasons for the low Mass attendance need not be spelled out....
Pope
Francis is appealing for mercy from all of us. A necessary condition
for this to happen is to rid ourselves of the vices and work with the
seven virtues that have to become part of us. Mercy comes with the disposition of welcoming our brothers and sisters and not money.
We
need to rid ourselves of discrimination, he concludes, and have a welcoming desire for a new heaven and a new earth, and begin living like
humans.
A couple came to see the pastor about the lack of communication between them. Married for over thirty years, and recently experienced an iron wall separating them. The priest writes about the encounter with the couple in the Pastoral Bulletin; wonders about the results of living in this way.
The couple expressed in detail their problem and was hoping for some words of wisdom from the pastor resolving their difficulty. The priest prayed that the couple in receiving Jesus in communion they would again find trust and the flame of love again.
Communication is at the heart of relationships. One good at communicating is looked upon kindly, and easily approached. They show concern for others and their own situation, and are looked upon favorably-- all enjoy their company.
We have the smart phone, the internet, and many other means of communicating but it has not improved but rather distanced ourselves from better and deeper communication, and we are called to be communicators.
God's desire in the Trinity is to be intimate, and open to communication. We are not responding to the invitation to be open to the other when we only remember the scars inflicted, and close our hearts to the other. We justify our actions by not wanting to be scarred again. Closing our hearts to others, we are isolating ourselves, making us lonelier. When we close ourselves off from our neighbor, the world and nature we imprison ourselves in a cave.
Communication is an essential part of our existence. Without communication we destroy our humanity, become overly nervous, and depressed. We don't communicate only to achieve some result but to be who we are. When we are with a close friend we speak without fear of being misunderstood. Opening ourselves to the other and being accepted we know we are worthy of love which renews us.
Our Lord is calling us to an intimacy of friendship. We are completely open to him giving him even our sins and failings and receiving mercy and forgiveness. We need to be open to communication, or we will not be living a truly human life. God the Father communicated with us by giving us his son; Jesus gave himself completely in communication as food-- Take and Eat.
Cardinal Paul Shan Kuo-hsi died on August 22, 2012 in Taipei Taiwan
at the age of 90 and left us an account of his experience recopied in the Pastoral Bulletin. His account of the trials and embarrassment he
endured is even difficult to copy. The article did skip some of the
most difficult aspects of his last days.
" In Taipei, I could not defecate for two days so the
doctor gave me some laxatives. They started to work around midnight. I
woke up the male nurse to help me get to the washroom. Before we got all
the way, my bowels emptied; the feces dropped out of me, fell to the
floor and the nurse stepped in them. He was not happy. While he washed
his slippers and the floor, he muttered words that I could not
understand. He then took off my soiled pajamas, sat me on the toilet
bowl naked and, while he washed the shit off my legs, scolded me like an
adult scolds a child."
“Just two or three steps from the toilet and you couldn’t hold on. It
gives me so much trouble. You have to tell me earlier next time,” was the bawling out he got from the male nurse.
"I felt like a one-year-old kid. Every sentence was like a sharp
knife, cutting away all the esteem, honor, titles, status, authority and
dignity of my past 90 years. After cleaning me up, he laid me on my bed
and quickly went back to sleep.
"I was
prescribed with a strong diuretic to expel the fluid in my lungs – but I
wasn’t told about it. The medication took effect during Mass. By the
time I got to the readings, I had to go to the toilet. On the way, I wet
myself so badly my urine left a trail on the floor. Since my ordination 57 years ago, that had never happened during
Mass. I lost my dignity. I felt I had no place to hide in front of the
nuns, doctors and nurses. This is how God started to cure my vanity.
These experiences made me realize two important spiritual facts--One: If you want to get close to Jesus, you must depend on God’s assistance to empty yourself. Two: When our loving God plays tricks on us, making us embarrassed,
chronic problems of our heart and mind can be healed; obstacles on our
spiritual path will be removed.
That embarrassment brought rejuvenation to a nonagenarian suffering
from terminal illness."
In just days, it took him back to the innocence
he had in his childhood and expelled unhelpful habits that had
accumulated for years.
“For God everything is possible.” (Matthew 19:26)
