Body and Soul

Is health the most important aspect of our life? A Jesuit priest who writes on spiritual matters in the Catholic Times begins his column with this question. Jesus spent a great deal of time in his public life curing the sick. We need to search for the meaning of these actions of Jesus. What do we mean by disease and health?

As in the time of Christ we have many who are sick. When a  family member is sick we pray for them, but not always with the  results we want. Why is this the case? There are those that pray and believe their prayers were answered, and those who prayed for the sick only to see them die, giving them great sorrow. How do we understand Jesus' curing of the sick?

We say health is our most important asset. True, for  when we lose our health we can no longer do what we want, and are dependent on others. We lose much. Consequently, when we watch TV we are bombarded with advertizing concerned with health:   beauty, live longer, good food, medicines, exercises-- tempting us with many hours and expenditure of energy for well being.  

Is bodily health that important that it takes first place in all our concerns? Isn't that the reason Jesus cured so many people? Our columnist doesn't think so. In John's Gospel, Jesus says the spirit is what gives life, and the body is of no value. But Jesus did cure the sick, what is the meaning of this? Jesus wants us to understand that the soul is the most important part of our existence. We are tempted to think that the body is everything and miss the place of the spirit in our lives. We are one body with God by means of the spirit which is the important dimension. When we have the right understanding and sensitivity of spirit, the body follows.

When we concentrate on the spirit  and are no longer tied to the body, the body regains health. When Jesus cured the sick he told them it was their faith that cured them. It was not his power but the belief  of the sick person. This is what cured the person.

The columnist concludes with the thought that we need to remember this when we reflect on the actions of Jesus.The body in itself is not what is important. The essence of our human existence is the soul which  acts and loves.

When we speak in this way it is easy for some to think disease is all our fault, which is not what is   being said, and is cruel. An important message is being delivered and we don't want to miss the message by a black and white approach to the subject-- seeing only the two opposite extremes of the issue. Our efforts should be directed as followers of Jesus to understand his teaching. Attitudes, have a great deal to do with the kind of health we possess: a principle that few would deny. 

'Live Like We Should'

We all have rights as human beings.  Christians believe we have been made in the image of God and we have to respect this in dealing with our brothers and sisters. Article 10 of the Korean Constitution: 'All citizens are assured of human worth and dignity and have the right to pursue happiness.  It is the duty of the State to confirm and guarantee the fundamental and inviolable human rights of individuals'.

The Peace Weekly columnist in his  examination of current affairs asks the readers what is necessary to respect this dignity of life. He mentions many of the problems in society, the corruption and the absurdity of much that we see. This is true of  all the parties within the government,  big business, and  throughout much of society.  Peace is the fruit of justice and without justice we will have chaos.  

In Korea, seven religious groups have come together to begin a movement to 'live like we  should': like human beings, like religious people, like government officials, like workers, like fathers, like mothers and so forth. Since over 50 percent of the citizens have a religious affiliation this would make a difference in society. 

A university professor in his talk on the movement  said the principles behind a new civilization for the 21st century will have a connection with the social teaching of the Church. He feels we have to move from the ontological (from my existence) to the relational. 

In Europe modernity was  advanced with the  emphasis on the individual, the group or nation, and its strengthening and increase;  in Asia the classical approach was the relational connection with others. This paradigm fights against the cut throat competition, and win and lose philosophy of capitalism, and works for a just society without sacrificing the weak. 

Doing what we are called to by our duties in society faithfully, is the intention of the movement to 'live like we should'. The columnist hopes the movement will spread and influence society. Religious people should have a special option for the poor and weak in society. After the visit of Pope Francis he hopes the motive force of the movement to 'live like we should', will influence our society with the relational bond we have with one another.          

Results of Patience

Life is filled with twists and turns, ups and downs, and not a few struggle to find the way out of the maze in which they are in. The Serenity Prayer often comes to mind: we change the things we can and have the wisdom to know the difference between  what we can and can't change. This is not always easy to do.

In the Seoul Bulletin a Ballerina who now teaches, mentioned an incident in her life which has taught her a great deal and wants her readers to gain strength from her experience.

All of nature continues to teach her a great many lessons and the providence of God is always present to her. Some years ago after ten years of dancing for the National Ballet as the senior ballerina and experiencing great joy suddenly she was diagnosed with a  foot problem that would require no longer wearing her ballet shoes. This was to her hearing a death sentence. She received this news from a famous university hospital and with hope in her heart went looking for places that would give her hope.

She heard about rehabilitation of athletes, and  joined a group where she would be working 12 hours a day with exercise. After ten months her instructor told her to put on her ballet shoes and the pain had disappeared, and had no problem with dancing. She remembers this moment  as being even happier than when she  started dancing. 

After overcoming the foot  problem she returned to the National Ballet and in her senior position was  able to share her  joy with the  audience. She later even received  the most coveted prize in ballet; she remembers how close she came to seeing the end of her ballet career. Her patience earned her a great deal of happiness.

The words of a priest came to mind who said that it took Noah 120 years to build the ark and Jesus took 30 years to prepare for his public life. We don't need these long periods of time but patience and wisdom are necessary in our lives. Looking back on her life, if she  gave up ballet, as doctors said was necessary,  what would that have done to her? She had enough patience and wisdom to keep on looking. 

Looking back she sees the unfortunate situation she faced as a blessing, and appreciates all the joy that it has brought to her life.

Refugees Transition to Life in the South

Presently 70% of the refugees in South Korea are women from North Korea. Most of them  did not directly come to the South but because of hunger went to China before coming to Korea. In China the women's stay was not without problems. At the request of the North Korean government, the Chinese police frequently round up the North Koreans, and forcibly send them back to the North.

Two articles in the Catholic Times mention the problems with the refugees in the South. Refugees arriving in the South enter Hanawon a government institution that is home for them for three months. They are educated in the ways of the South and given a resettlement payment and housing assistance. It is during this period at Hanawon they  are introduced to religion but most of them have other interests mainly the family they left behind in the North, and how to get them to the South.

One woman mentions she first heard about Catholicism while at Hanawon but it was two years later, after her son joined her in the South, that she was baptized with her son.

An article mentions a survey made by the  bishops' committee for the reconciliation of the Korean people, and it shows that a little over one present of the refugees become Catholic, and of these 80% of the refugees after baptism have either abandoned the faith or find it difficult living the faith.

Making a living is their biggest obstacle,and religion for many, is no help. The teaching and Confession are big problems. They see it as a good but the obligations are too many. Need is seen for parishes to have an interest in these refugees, and make them feel at home; God-parents especially concerned with their God-children.

One priest mentioned in comparison with other religious groups, becoming a Catholic is complicated, and is a deterrent to many who show an interest. The article concluded with the need for the parishioners to become familiar with the problems of the North, and to understand the alienation the refugees feel, and work to understand and be with them in the transition to life in the South.

100 Percent Absorption

Catholic Times'  priest columnist  who writes on spiritual subjects mentions a meal that he had with two young religious. They recalled the times in their lives when they laughed and the times of sadness  they experienced.

During the discussion with the two young religious he felt contentment in their presence, no need to correct or agree, he was older than they were, and found the time with them satisfying. When they left the restaurant and began walking they saw a movie theater; the billboard was advertizing a family picture, one of the men recommended they see.

They checked the  time for the next showing of the movie. He was the only one not keen in seeing  the movie; he had a lot to do at the monastery  but he decided to join them, and bought the tickets. They went to a nearby place to eat, for there is a stomach for a meal, and a stomach for snacks. When the time came they left for the movie theater.

Since it was a family movie there were a lot of young people there. Many couples in their middle years.  The movie was inspirational  but the columnist was mostly interested in the technical aspects, and the acting.  During the performance he heard something like a tank, and noticed that a man  on his right was asleep and snoring.

Shortly after in an emotional segment he heard  sobbing, and the blowing of  noses. On his left was a huge man who was crying  while the actors and actresses were just playing their role, his crying was for real. The two religious were 100 percent immersed in the movie.

They were completely absorbed,  more involved than the actors themselves. The columnist was impressed with their absorption.  A couple of hours of not too extreme or excessive losing yourself in what you are doing, is a good way to clear the mind and relax a person. Leaving  the theater he was embarrassed in that he was not able to lose himself in watching the picture.  For him the movie was in no way cathartic and because of that he felt he missed something. He concludes the column by telling his readers a good way to renew oneself  is when you can immerse yourself  in what you are doing 100 percent.

Fighting Against the Temptation to Ignore the Past

Korean Catholics are faced with the temptation to consider their inheritance from the past dismissively. An article in the Kyeongyang magazine by a professor of ethics laments to see Catholicism changed  by our environment and  society: diminishment of the  passion once had for the faith, and  a shadow on the  future of the church.

We see the results of this in our examination of the situation in the church. Surveys have showed repeatedly the change of  spiritual practices, and behavior, and values of Catholics. A Gallup survey recently showed the way the parishioners see  divorce, abortion and homosexuality are very similar to those who have no belief.  In 1984, 57 % said  they prayed  at least once a day but in 2014 this decreased to 30 %. In 1984, 11 % said they never opened the Scriptures while last year it was 30%.

In the past  traditional religious ways and authority  were a powerful force in society. Many considered religion shackling us to ways that took away our freedom. Love, mercy, filial affection, sacrifice, and  the like, are values that society no longer admires. Rather today it is efficiency, and modernity, non-traditional  and non-authoritarian values, that are supported and admired.

What is important is the here and now, and not the next life. Happiness now is what is wanted. More important than faith is health, present pleasure; they prefer material and bodily values which are a challenge to religion. More important than the spiritual is the  body. Old moral standards are burdensome  measurements, and the relics from the past.

Individual likes and dislikes are important. If it suits me it is good, and if not it is evil. Consequently, society, virtue, citizens' understanding, common good, politics and family have deteriorated. Technology is favored, consciences are numbed,  consolation is sought, meaning of life disappears. Economics are elevated, virtue has retreated, sex is everywhere and love misunderstood, pleasure has increased and joy lessened.

We as Christians are forced to act as Christians. What does that mean?  In this world living according to the Gospel is extremely difficult, and we try to rationalize, but we need to keep on teaching what is the true meaning of religion. We have to keep on fighting against those who are building this virtual reality and  fantasy world, and oppose them, and expect the mockery that will come like that received by Noah in building the ark.

AIDS Work In Korea

A Columban Sister tells her readers in her Peace Weekly column how she got involved in the work with HIV/AIDS patients. She was approached by an HIV positive individual who crying: "Sister, I have no place to go, I have AIDS  you are the only one I can approach."

She listened to his story and was greatly moved. She had no funds so went to Cardinal Kim of Seoul and received help and that is the start of the first shelter for those with AIDS. She continued to receive help for her work.

She writes that more than having the disease the worst is being shunned and stigmatized which gives more pain than than the body affliction. We have to do all we can, she says, to alleviate this loneliness and alienation. They do not  have a positive view of the world. They are feared by many of the citizens which destroys the quality of life of those diagnosed as HIV positive. HIV is not spread by day-to-day contact with those with the virus-- a well know fact.

One of the patients: "Even those who I trusted and believed, have this feeling towards me  and because of me when I think of the pain of my family all I  want to do is hide and have nothing to do with the world."

In Korea when you have a disease make it known, is a proverb, not true with AIDS. All you can do is keep silence, you become a displaced person.The prejudice is still strong in Korea which makes the work of the Columban Sister difficult, and this can be seen by not wanting her picture accompanying her column, but only a blurred drawing.

On this blog in 2009, mention was made of an editorial in the Peace Weekly  which said ignorance and misunderstanding, causes a deep rooted prejudice in Korean society, making it impossible even for a person diagnosed as HIV (a person with the virus but not AIDS) to function in society. This means that it remains hidden and does not get the care that will prevent more cases. The facts are a person with the disease, with periodic check ups, and treatment can function in society; that is not the case today in Korea.

For ten years now the Church has with little publicity been involved in the care of AIDS patients. It started when there was a great deal of fear with anything to do with AIDS. There is still a great deal of misunderstanding about AIDS. This is the reason that the Church had difficulty publicizing the work with the sick. It is estimated that there are about 6000 people infected with the disease in Korea. Today it would be higher.

The Church will now take a more active part in trying to change the climate that surrounds the word AIDS. Someone has been put in charge of the Red Ribbon Movement which will incorporate the present works of the Church and look for government help in the future. 

Korea has a great deal to overcome for the proper understanding of what AIDS is all about but has made big changes in its approach. The Church also will be more involved in educational programs, publicity and helping those who have the virus, to function in society. The number of those committing suicide on knowledge of having the virus is extremely high and the reason is that they are treated like those with leprosy in the time of Jesus. There is a hope that the efforts of the Church will be successful.The above words were  written in 2009 and there has been some change but with the absence of the picture of the sister, shows she still has to be circumspect about her work within society.