"Ding Dong~Ding Dong~"
The
bell of the Urakami Cathedral rang at 6 pm on Christmas Eve 1945. A
college professor writes about Takashi Nagai (1908-1951) in the Catholic
Times. Nagai and his colleagues found the bell in the ruins of the
cathedral and hung the bell on wooden hangers, announcing the time for
Christmas Eve prayer. This layman, who led the small but strong
Catholic Church community, became well known the world over.
Takashi
Nagai was a Catholic layman, a physician who practiced radiology and
love for humanity He was not only a victim of the atomic bomb in
Nagasaki but wrote a great deal about his Christian faith and gospel
spirit up until his death.
Dr.
Nagai was originally an atheist, but married Midori, the daughter of the owner of the house in which he lodged. Chokada was a seventh
generation descendent of the Hidden Christians of Nagasaki. The doctor
became interested in Christianity while lodging in the house of this lay
leader (Chokada), and was baptized.
The
young Nagai, had been diagnosed with leukemia, and was given only two
or three years to live. He told his wife painfully of the diagnose.
Midori, after kneeling and praying for a while, said: "You
have devoted all of your life to important things, and your efforts
were for the glory of God." Upon hearing Midori's tearful sincerity,
Nagai confessed that he was delighted to have obtained a "new life."
Dr.
Nagai lost his wife in the atomic bombing of Nagasaki and as he slowly
continued to die, he reflects that his young son and daughter are soon
to be raised without parents. And writes: "When your sorrows overcome you, weep with all your heart. But let your heart be turned toward God. He
will give you true comfort and wipe away your tears." In the heart of
this dying parent, it's no wonder he found comfort in the
Beatitudes and hope facing death. The writer was deeply moved in reading about the last days of Dr. Nagai.
Do we live like a Dr. Nagai with a profound confession of faith? Many
of the young Catholics in Korea nowadays say they do not baptize
their children so that they can "choose their own religion" when they
grow up. Why
does the normal child live a life-long battle to live up to the
parents' wishes and expectations, even though they did not choose their
parents? Do they respect freedom for religion only? Our faith is not the object of choice! The
problem is we have not tasted how wonderful and great the blessings to live and know Him who gave us life from the beginning and leads us to
true happiness.
In a way, it is our fault in the way we have expressed the teachings of Jesus. Instead of sharing God's great love and compassion first, we talk about missing Mass on Sundays, and what is forbidden and emphasize only the external sacramental life! In our church pastoral practices, we need an awakening and fundamental improvement in what has been projected, so that love, grace and truthfulness can be shared before the accidentals.
This year, the church is celebrating the year of the laity. Our Korean Catholic history has many stories like those associated with Dr. Nagai. They shared a leadership in honoring and witnessing to the Lord with their lives even in the absence of priests. However,
it is necessary to reflect on whether or not the role of the laity, who act
in the church today, are recognized only as servants of the priests. Pope Francis emphasizes that we are all called to holiness.
Priests should respect the 'call of the laity', struggling in the middle of
the world and living the gospel—a holy and beautiful journey before
God.
I do not know how many tears I shed during the pilgrimage to Japan last summer. The book about the life of Takashi Nagai: A Song for Nagasaki, the
story of Takashi was introduced to the writer by a woman during the
trip, who shared with him the joy of conversion. Listening to what some
of the laity have done have invited him to a greater desire for
holiness.
Competition is a part of life. An article in the Kyeongyang magazine is entitled: "Your joy makes for my unhappiness." The writer is a professor in a psychiatric department and explains how this phrase is so true in our society. Quotes such as survival of the fittest, and may the best man win are just some of the many words that show we are not dealing with a win/win situation but rather with a zero-sum situation—I win you lose.
The life of young people is filled with competition and it begins early. Not only with grades in school, but in sports, computer games, physical appearance, dancing and even fist fighting, all objects for competition. Up until they become adults this fight in dealing with the psychological aspects of competition become their primary energy and motivation.
When competition becomes excessive it develops into envy and jealousy. Ambition is a good thing, but often, instead of motivating to achieve and imitate the success of others with a positive joy, the energy needed to follow one's desires ends up hating the competitor and we have anger and depravity.
Envy and jealousy give rise to false ambition. Seeing the ornaments possessed by a friend or a car, one may have the desire to have the same. We don't bother to figure out if it is necessary or suits us. We have a fake desire, they have it we want it, and we are heading for trouble. Jealousy will lead to depravity.
Another problem with excessive envy and jealousy is depression. Once you compare with others and acknowledge their intelligence and success and remember one's own short-comings and misfortunes, we may be tempted to tear down the other. Depression often is followed with anger, impulsiveness, and self-indulgence. Not able to express one's 'melancholia' one becomes lost, liquor, games, becoming critical of the world and personality changes are seen.
Anger is always in the mix. When we take joy in the failure of another we know something is wrong. If we had the right attitude we would commiserate with the loser and show concern. In competition we always have losers and winners but when the winners take more joy in vanquishing the losers than their own victory we have a serious problem.
We live in a competitive world. Envy and jealousy is part of this world but when we have joy in another's loss we are faced with a sad situation. Envy and jealousy are called sins but at the same time we are bringing upon ourselves punishment. We are on this earth only once and living in this way, dark shadows will enter our lives from our actions.
Every third or fourth year the young people of Korea meet from the 16 Korean dioceses to share their experiences and renew their faith. This year 2000 young people met in Seoul under the auspices of the diocese from Aug. 11 to 15 with the theme "It is me, do not be afraid" (John 6:20).
Both Catholic Weeklies reported on the event and the hope they have for the future. An interview with the bishop who was the committee head for the Korean Youth Day (KYD) mentions the situation of the young people in Korea. Words and phrases which have spread widely express the frustrations of the young having to give up: courtship, marriage, childbirth, job, home ownership, relationship etc. Briefly, they no longer have the hopes that the previous generation enjoyed.
An old Korean proverb: "From a stream, a dragon rises" meaning from rags to riches, a reality now rarely seen. The best of efforts in the eyes of many young people are of little avail in our society. Even during the struggles for democracy courtship and hope for a job were present. Today's college students don't have the time for romance and love but are busy getting the necessary qualifications to apply for jobs that are not there.
The workplace has been inundated with artificial intelligence, mechanization, and digitization, decreasing the jobs available, says the bishop. Capitalism has met many limitations. This requires a new way of looking at society and the need to accommodate.
In this kind of milieu where romance and love are missing, they have to find a place for spirituality and God.
The bishop is not asking them to lower their horizons but if they follow the dictates of society in attempts to find happiness they will face unlimited competition and conflict. One has to compete with another to find happiness. A new standard of values are necessary to replace the ones they have followed.
A new frame of reference is required. Following the worldly standard, they may find success, money but it will not bring true happiness. They have to find a different set of values and this says the bishop was the aim of the KYD.
This year different from the previous KYDs was the change in the age requirements. They took the example from the other national youth meetings in other countries and this year accepted those from 16 to 39. The bishop found that the impact on teenagers was far greater than on the older young people. The program was meant to show that not only is the head important but the person's whole being was a primary aim of the three days.
This year the numbers were lower than was expected. The participants were hosted by the local families who volunteered. In conclusion, the bishop wants pastoral workers not only to work with those who are coming to church but to go out to them where they are.
An 88-year-old Buddhist monk was taken to a hospital after a hunger fast of 41 days— demanding reform in the largest Buddhist order in Korea. Within the order he held important positions and was asking for the resignation of its leaders for corruption and illegal operations. Writing for a monthly bulletin for priests, the priest writer informs the readers of the issues involved.
A television program brought to light the suspicions of corruption within the order and the monk's demand for the resignation of the leaders. Those with the same understanding of the situation met together with the monk, and arranged for a press conference. Many of the different strata of society attended. Since the order receives government subsidies they asked the government to investigate the suspicions of corruption but only silence followed.
The writer makes known the virtuous life of the monk, who despite the hot weather continued the fast. His follow monks convinced him that he was more important alive then dead and he terminated the fast and entered a hospital.
Two days later the leader of the order declared he would retire. This was the desire of the fasting monk. Not only Buddhism but the other religious entities, although different in degree, desire to get rid of long-standing vices.
Religion is the soul and spirit of our society. The mass media gave the issue a hearing and made known to the citizens the need for reform. Like in society, religion is corrupted by money and power and when it becomes part of the structure we have it multiplying. Reformation within religion is one of the signs of the times.
In the Buddhist world, there has been a struggle to reform as was seen by the long-time fasting of other monks in the past. At time it was done with a club in their hand in attempts to get rid of evil customs. Corruption will always be present, and some monks will be in search of reform. Few priests within Catholicism demand the clearing away of long standing evils and demanding reform. On occasions, priests have criticized the doings in the church, but often they were not supported and suffered only pain. Recently, in one of the dioceses an older priest criticized the diocese and bishop and demanded reform. In response, the bishop punished the priest with suspension. In some way, it can be seen as an abuse of the bishop's authority.
The fasting of the monk brought change. The reforms in other religious groups and the clearing of long-standing evils will have to happen from the bottom up—like the candlelight vigils we experienced in our recent history in Korea.
In Korea recently 7 different religious groups have inaugurated a movement which in Korea would mean literally to 'live like' what we are called to do: live like mothers, like fathers, like children, like students, like teachers etc. A passable English translation: "Do what you're doing" (Age quod agis) familiar in the Catholic tradition. The hope of the leaders is to go beyond the religious groups and become a national campaign.
In 2014 the movement began under Catholic auspices but an editorial in the Catholic Times expresses sadness that it lost its vigor and a reason for the new beginning. The lay members of the different religious groups are to live according to the teachings of their respective groups and they hope this will go beyond those with religion.
It's a movement to get rid of deception, manipulation, seeking authenticity, genuineness, honesty, sincerity in whatever is done. For Christians,not following the ways of the world but being true to one's beliefs and consciences. On Aug. 8th the movement was legally incorporated.
▲ Live like a good neighbor to others
▲ Like a family member, work to make a happy household
▲ Live like a truly religious person
▲ Live my occupation, turning away from temptations to corruption and abuse
▲ Share like a member of society
▲ Work toward peaceful unification like a good citizen
▲ Go beyond the differences of religion and personal ideologies to work for peace like a world citizen
Doing what you are doing, concentrating on the task at hand and doing it to the best of one's ability are words often heard but rarely achieved, distractions are many. Colossians 3:23-- "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men."
Different religions don't find it easy to work together on some common task. But doing what we do, well, according to the dictates of our religion is a task that all can accept without difficulty. This can also be extended to the larger community of citizen who asked to do what their consciences tell them to do, to the best of their ability, should find agreement among the majority. Would this not help in bringing about a better society?
Recently we had the death by suicide of a popular politician, sympathetic to the struggling ones in society and showed this in his words and actions. He was lamented by many, those who agreed and disagreed with him. A university professor in a Catholic Peace Weekly column visits the issue and uses the occasion to reflect on suicide.
How difficult must it have been in his own mind to deal with the thoughts which came? He was a good man. His fault was not to report a gift of money which he acknowledged as stupidity. He was not asked or did he do anything because of the donation. The professor uses the words of the French sociologist Emile Durkheim to describe reasons for suicide.
First is the selfish suicide. It happens when you feel alienation because you cannot compromise or adapt to reality; it often happens in a society where the tendency towards individualism is strong.
Second is the altruistic suicide where a person is overly attached to the society or group to which he belongs. This is a society with a strong collective tendency.
Anomic suicide (socially alienated) a lack of connection with society—weak social cohesion. When we have extreme changes in society and a person feels confused and disconnected suicide is possible.
Catholic faith teaches that life is given. God created man from the dust and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and man became a living being (Gen.2:7). My life is not my own. I was not born because I wanted to be born. God created man in His holy image. In the end, it was God's will that we were born on this earth. Therefore, a man should not cut off his precious life which God has given. This is a betrayal of God's love.
Saint Mother Teresa on a visit to the United States after giving a lecture was accosted by a woman who told her: "I have decided to end my life. I no longer have the strength nor the desire to go on."
Sister Teresa responded: "I have something to ask you before you kill yourself, come with me to Calcutta and work for a month."
The woman accepted the invitation and worked for those dying from hunger and disease along with Teresa. She realized how happy she should have been and reconsidered her thoughts on death. The darkness of her future turned into a bright light. She decided to live a new life caring for the precious life that God had given her.
In Korean, if the word for suicide is read backwards we have 'let's live'. If one has the courage to commit suicide one also has the courage to live. One of the well known and beloved Korean poets is Ku Sang whose poem: "The Place of the Flower" comes to mind as he concludes the article. "Life at times looks like a thorn bush but it's really a flower."
On the opinion page of the Catholic Times, a one time newspaper editor, reminds us how to discern fake news from the real thing. Among poor articles and fake news you have sentences with the passive ending: has been known, has been communicated and the like. Why is this so?
In press coverage, it is of high priority, in press ethics, to disclose the sources. In Korean, in the passive tense, the subject of the action is not known. The reporter did not make an accurate account of what transpired. This can happen when the reporter uses conjecture or prejudice or words like it is said that.... We have a lack of accuracy, objectivity, and fairness in journalism.
There are also other methods that do not use the passive voice to hide the subject of an action: criticized, evaluated, pointed out, all these expressions can hide the source.
▲The evaluation of the company showed various favorable positions.
▲ It is pointed out that it is against the law to raise that kind of money during the election year.
▲ Criticism was made that it was somewhat behind the times.
In the above sentences, there is no indication of who has evaluated, pointed out or criticized. In other words, an unidentified third person seems to be the subject of the action, and one can easily have doubts about the objectivity of the report.
At first glance, it seems to represent public opinion. In fact, the journalist's own evaluation, knowledge, and criticism are often irresponsibly transferred to an unidentified third party.
If you want to correct this sentence to conform to the press ethics principles, you should put a source for information.
▲ The evaluation of the company which has various achievements is in a favorable position according to Mr. So and So etc. and similarly with the other statements.
"It is known" is not the way reports should be made but nonetheless, not only general reporters but also famous anchor journalists and newspaper columnists use it without hesitation. One has little difficulty in understanding how this is part of the internet news world in which we live.
In cyberspace, many individuals using SNS have little knowledge on how to cover news stories and write sentences tailored to press ethics. There are many cases in which the text of a large medium is modified with violation of serious ethics—plagiarism.
A few years ago, the slang for reporter, used sarcastically, was the word (ki-re-gi) made up from garbage and reporter. Some reporters were reporting the news in an unethical way instead of accurately, objectively and fairly as the writer mentioned in the above article.
