Communication is both an art and a skill. Our life is made difficult because of failure to communicate. We don't always have the results we want but without conversation we have estrangement.
Communication means we say what we mean and the hearer understand what we say, with the meaning we give the words, which is not always the case. We have different experiences, our words have different nuances and at times who we are speaks louder than what we say.
Writing in the Catholic Times the chairperson of the Saeurinuri Peace Corp introduces the readers to the importance of dialogue to overcome conflict. She calls it the foundation for change.
Korea has been divided for over 70 years. Both the North and South have lost much because of the division. The difference in ideology and systems has given birth to hostility and misunderstanding and has built a high wall against reconciliation and unity. However, this is not only between the North and South but also among ourselves here in the South. This appears in politics and among the citizens: lack of trust and the chaos within society.
When we have the same ideals there is little difficulty in accepting the other, however, when the point of view is different we often quickly decide it's wrong and from our years of living with this understanding, we are quick to see an enemy. The effort and desire to understand and communicate are missing.
A Korean proverb often heard: "with the right kind of words we can repay a large debt." Meaning that with dialogue we are able to bring about a new relationship. With communication we can cause problems but also solve them.
We need to have an open mind and heart. Conversation is the foundation of relationships. Communication with those we are close and those with whom we are alienated requires conversation. Whether it's a subject we agree on or have a difference of opinion-- talking is required.
However, when we don't have the necessary skills communities suffer. Some don't know how to begin a conversation and maintain the conversation. This is a reality we often see. We know the usefulness of communication. It's a precious treasure that allows us to avoid conflict and maintain peace. Something greatly needed in society.
We are at the beginning of the liturgical year with the season of
advent. On Christmas Day all of history for a Christian, unites in the
crib at Bethlehem.The liturgical year is a visual aid that focuses our
attention on the events of history that have great meaning for us.
In a monthly bulletin for a
mission station the writer draws our attention to the central theme of
the Christmas season which is simply the love of God for us, for me. We
have heard this countless times, sounds trite and meaningless but is it
not that it has never passed from the head to the heart? For one reason
or another we are not receptive of this love for we are busy with many
other interests and preferences. God and his love is forgotten.
Love
that we acknowledge and accept makes us lovable. This in turn requires a response from the loved one. This is
the Christmas message. The whole world seems to be having a nervous
breakdown and Korea with our recent history is a good example of how
upsetting the situation can be.
Material goods and
power for their own sake is a priority; it contaminates so much of our
society. Millions have gone to the streets of the country to show
solidarity and wanting to see a new beginning. Candles held in the hand,
wanting to overcome the darkness-another visual aid. Many citizens are
willing to take time out of their daily lives to show the importance of
this united act of solidarity.
As Christians we
know that Jesus comes to us in disguise. He speaks to our hearts to our
heads to our consciences comes to us in the person of others in the
Scriptures and in the Church but it is not always easy to see, but
the central message of love is loud and clear.
The
message is always the same to love as he did. but we are often deaf.
Often we understand Christmas as a time of gift giving, and sharing, all good, and forget that God's love was to give himself.
To give of what we possess is not that difficult, to give of ourselves is
an entirely different state of affairs. And yet this is central and far from
ambiguous. However, it does require faith. Merry Christmas.
An elementary school teacher writing in the recent Kyeongyang magazine introduces the readers to an American Indian calendar. Indians lived very close to nature and she offers the calendar as a way to experience surroundings instead of just a series of numbers.
January- a month in which we remain deep in thought/ difficult to accept the cold/ a month in which branches break from the weight of the snow/ the sun lacks the strength to melt snow/ where the wind scatters the snow hither and thither.
February-a month to walk alone/ return of the wild geese/ blowing of the wind: harbinger of future flowers/ lack of food makes the bones tingle/ purification of both body and spirit/ frost shines with the light of the sun/ we grow older/ a slow month.
March- a month that energizes the heart/ a month, always the same/ water flows into the reservoirs/ strong winds sweep away the dead branches and we have new buds/ the whispering wind is present/ baby spring is here.
April- the month we feel the joy of life/ sleeping with seeds by the bed/ nature again receives life/ weather becomes warmer/ leaves begins to give their greeting.
May- waiting month/ remembering the dead/ laziness creeps in/ big leaf month.
June- the month that brings change/ weather becomes warmer/ without a word we gaze on the spider webs/ a month of talk.
July-The month we can't just stay in the tent doing nothing/ gaze at the shine of the fruit/ branches begin to break because of fruit.
August- the month in which we forget all/ filled with joy / we see the silver waves of corn before us/ all is ripening/ leaves are beginning to lose their luster.
September- gathering month/ the spirit is high/ grass is dry/ end of the fruit/ leaves begin to fall.
October- wait for me until I come back in a month/ changes are made/ big wind/ poverty begins to appear/ mountains appear on fire.
November- a good time for walks/ not everything is disappearing/ water becomes dark within the leaves/ time of gathering.
December- another month in a new world/ silence/ non-possessing month/ everything begins to freeze/ branches begin to break/ first snow/ the sun leaves its spot in the South to move on its journey to the North.
We have in this survey according to the author both poetry and philosophy.
In a question and answer column for the Catholic Peace Weekly, a reader from overseas asks how to understand what is going on in Korea. Some say the followers of North Korea are instigating the demonstrations and others say it is the aches and pains to become a developed country. Which is it?
Korea is going through a difficult period, answers the columnist. It's a transition period and the social body is aching in its attempt to become a healthy country. You have the movement to move from the past and change the structures that were harmful and those who don't want the change. We are experiencing the aches and pains that are necessary to move from the dark and dampness of the past to a new way of being Korea. No need to worry.
The citizen street demonstrations that you have heard about are not instigated by the leftist followers of the North, or a special political party or extremists. The majority of the demonstrators are quick to prevent any violence that is contemplated and we are seeing a mature citizenry.
We also see growth in what is being said. No special political party's platform, but common sense that is promulgated and resistance to what is not common sense. Many of the parents bring their children to the demonstration for they do not want their children to be victims and want them to live with hope.
There have been many things in society that have been hidden and one big incident is the Sewol Ferry Tragedy. There are many other absurdities that remain hidden. The prayers of the children who lost their lives the columnist wants to believe helped bring the problems to the attention of the citizens.
Citizens for some time, at the hands of clever politicians, have been cajoled. They've used prejudicial feelings present towards different areas of the country, fostered conflict with the North, and ideology to keep the citizens' criticism at bay and keep them quiet. They know that it's not true but are too busy in living to do anything.
The citizens don't want their children to suffer what many of them had to experience: a reason they have turned to the streets to make their wills known.
The citizens have behaved maturely in these demonstrations and common sense was mostly followed. Respect was shown to others giving hope for the future. The citizens are to be praised, he tells his overseas reader, and he concludes the article with no reason to worry about the future.
Everyone at times is fearful. Without the emotion of fear, we would have difficulty taking care of ourselves. Not able to distinguish between what we should do and not do would be our downfall. A problem is we are fearful of what there is no need to fear.
A professor emeritus in the With Bible magazine shares his ideas on the subject with his readers. He quotes from a couple of philosophers on their understanding of fear-a basic phenomenon to manage anxiety. We find ways to avoid what gives us fear: the object of fear, fear itself and the reasons for fear all are involved. Fear is not always bad. Another said that fear is the beginning of wisdom, the opportunity for service, work, and way to enjoy freedom. We all have objects and reasons for fear.
Many in Korea see the country ignoring the needs of the farmers in spite of pledges. Because of this situation, farmers leave the country to demonstrate in Seoul. One farmer, Baek Nam-gi, was struck by a police water cannon last November and remained in a coma for almost a year before he died recently. He was a symbol of what many see as the erosion of freedom of assembly in the country. He was a Catholic who acted according to his beliefs.
Many priests and a few bishops expressed their sorrow for the death and complained about the public power that brought about his death, and criticized the lack of responsibility and the abuse of power. The writer does not understand why church leaders were not more critical of what happened when a farmer was killed. The incident was distorted and the public opinion was manipulated. There is a time when speech is necessary. The time must not be missed. Why the fear?
The middle class is no longer present and to speak of a middle-class church is anachronistic. The Church is not a worldly enterprise but a community that feels with those who are hurting and serves as their mouthpiece. This is the Gospel message."Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and yet don't do what I tell you?" (Lk. 6;46).
When justice is trampled, democracy mocked, and personality not honored we have hell. God's kingdom begins here on earth: 'they will be done on earth as it is in heaven' we are to build his kingdom here and now. This is the task that we have as Christians.
The Christian name of farmer Baek was Emmauel: God is with us. When criticism and debate are stymied in the Church we cease to be light and salt. We need to reflect and repent, this is our work as children of God-and to determine what we really have to fear.
After the Second Vatican Council, in 1968 the Catholic Lay Apostolate Council was formed to inspire and give life to the work of the laity in Korea: evangelization works of charity, and work for the peace of the world and internal growth of the Church. The need of the laity to get involved in works of society and to encourage their participation. The Catholic Times had an article examining a half-century of growth.
In 1988 Pope John Paul II wrote an exhortation: Christifideles Laici ( Lay members of Christ's Faithful People) which strengthened the position of the laity in the Church. This became a concern on how to live according to the manner outlined in the exhortation. Consequently, they saw the need to come together as a group.
They started with the sticker: 'through my fault' which is from the introductory confession at the beginning of Mass. They distributed 300,000 stickers, an attempt as individuals, members of families, in the workplace and in society to personally check the Christian's faith life and examine where to grow.
The movement grew and received encouragement from society. A song was composed and we had literary works produced with the theme. It spread to other countries. One of the reasons was the lack of morals and virtue experienced in society made the movement attractive to many. We were both the problem and solution. This was an impetus to work for the return of virtue in our social life.
In 1994 an appeal went all to all the Catholics and society at large: "Let us return morality and virtue to its rightful place and begin living according to God's order for humanity." At that time we had widespread corruption, lack of respect for life and trust only in material things. In 1993 we had the return of democratic leadership and the end of the military dictatorship.
Three years later in order to have the laity take their rightful place in the life of the Church the Lay Apostolate Council submitted some bold proposals to the bishops. They asked that the parish pastoral councils be more than a consultative group but have deliberative possibilities in the management of the parish. Also to have a department for the laity in the diocesan makeup and have their opinion heard in the decisions of the diocese.
The following year,1998, with the IMF bailout situation, the Lay Council recommended that all the parishes become involved in the 'Anabada' movement: A (saving), Na (sharing) Ba (exchanging), Da (reusing). This was an effort to overcome the difficulties of that time and to be concerned with those out of work and to help them financially,
In 2001 to overcome our greed and mammonism in society they inaugurated: 'Let us live properly' movement. The Council again wanted to inspire the Christians to work to make a just society for without efforts to overcome the evils in society the future will not be bright.
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."
