'Humility' A Difficult and Misunderstood Virtue

A month has passed, and the words of the Emperor of Trot, Na Hoon-ah still lingers in the ears of the columnist in the Peace Column of the Peace Weekly. "I have never seen a king or a president who risked their lives for the people. It was our people who protected the country."

Was he criticizing the politicians to cheer up the people who were tired of corona virus? Even if no kings or presidents have given their lives for the people, many leaders in society have done so. However, the writer is disappointed with what some politicians are doing these days and remembers well the lyrics which Na Hoon-ah addresses to Socrates his brother: "Why is the world like this, why is it so hard?"

Not just a few people are saying life is difficult and it is not only because of the corona virus. The economy is dark and politics stifling. Do we have any political leaders that can bring relief? Political leaders should take care of the people, and people should be concerned about them.

Anyone can be a leader, and in some ways, everyone is a leader. They serve as leaders in the home, in church, and in the workplace. Aside from ability, what attitude should a leader have in terms of personality? The behavior of some political leaders deserves to be taken as an example of what not to do. Let us look at some of these ways of acting.

First, do not listen to others. Everybody has some strengths and weaknesses. See what you want to see and hear what you want to hear. Do you know stubbornness is a driving force? There is no way to communicate just by only expressing your thoughts. When the disagreement worsens, the people become indifferent or give up. Only by acknowledging the other person will we be acknowledged.

Second, do not apologize for making mistakes. If we admit our faults, will we be strategically intimidated because the faults will increase? Is there no courage? They try to ignore embarrassing situations or try to hide them. Shouldn't we give the people a chance to forgive? A leader who cannot apologize is a weak man who does not know how to repent.

Third, blame others. Responsibility for misconduct is passed on to a predecessor or others. Turn the displeasure of people's grief towards others to hide their own faults. It's a trick that puts framing on the other side. I may escape criticism by using deception, but will I be able to escape guilt? You must beat your heart and repent. "It's my fault. It's my fault. It is my most grievous fault."

Fourth, they are proud of their obvious lies. They do it over and over again. When you say you're lying, they show surprise and raise their voice. They must believe that if they persist people will eventually believe them. When evidence of lies is revealed, it's passed off as a way of speech. This cannot be done without looking down on the people. Lies destroy faith. People follow only leaders who garner trust.

Finally, they only look at their own side. The leader must be the leader of everyone. Not the head of a specific group. The phenomenon of a politician's 'fandom' becomes important. They show off their strength by leaning on the crowd that follows them unconditionally, showing only the smallness of the leader. Don't cater to those who support you, but say the truth at all times, is that not the attitude of a great leader? "Thank you for loving me. Please love all the others too".

These faults will not be easily revealed if people are respected and served. These mistakes are made by those who look down on the people and keep their neck stiff. "Power comes from humility." These are the words of Pope Francis. Jesus is a humble leader who gave his life to serve humans. Should not the leader of the people hope to be a "humble servant"? The writer in conclusion admits his embarrassment in writing what he did.

 

Designer Babies Of the Future

A Bioethicist in the recent issue of the Catholic Peace Weekly gives the readers in Diagnosis of Current Events some thoughts to examine.

In a movie called "My Sisters Keeper", which was released in 2009, parents gave birth to a customized baby (Anna) who was to donate blood and bone marrow to a daughter (Kate) suffering from leukemia. Anna was born with the fate of giving blood and bone marrow to her sister. 

 

When Anna turned 11, she filed a lawsuit against her parents for forcing her to donate a kidney for her older sister. The mother (Sarah), was obsessed with Kate's cure. They had a fierce court battle and it was found out later that it was at Kate's request that Anna filed the lawsuit. She was also suffering from the pain that her disease was causing her sister, Anna. This film raises the question of whether science and technology can discover the meaning of family and the dignity of life.

Designer babies aren't just in movies. In October 2018, in India, the parents of a son suffering from a rare disease called 'thalassemia' visited a fertility specialist to give birth to a customized baby (Kavya Solanki) that was genetically matched with her brother through genetic testing before implantation. In March of this year, when Kavya was less than 16 months old, a bone marrow transplant was performed for her brother, and he recovered. Parents call Kavya the 'savior' because her birth changed the life of the family. 

Customized babies born for brothers and sisters, like Kavya, are called 'Saviour Siblings'. Unlike the movie, the birth of a customized baby seems to be a happy ending for this family. But we haven't heard all about Kavya yet; she is a child who is now only 24 months old. 

 

Kavya's parents gave birth to her because it was a child who had a perfect genetic match with her son. So, to give birth to Kavya, parents created embryos through in vitro procedures even though they were not infertile, and embryos were selected through numerous genetic tests. We can't help but think about how many embryos have been destroyed in this process. Human life is the fruit of love through the unity of the couple, and even though "humans must be respected as a person from the first moment of their existence" the embryo is created and treated as a material tool and if not helpful discarded. 

The birth of a Savior baby can be a prelude to a descending slippery slope. This is because human desire does not stop at making a younger brother provide bone marrow, but can move toward genetic modification. 

In 2019, the Alliance for Regenerative Medicine stated in its declaration that it supported gene editing in somatic cells, but that gene editing in the gonads (eggs, sperm, fertilized embryos) was inappropriate. 

There are still many flaws in technical, as well as ethical, legal, and social issues. In the case of human embryos, the side effects of gene editing are bound to be confirmed by growing into adults. Also, if a side effect occurs, it cannot be reversed or stopped. But even more dangerous would be the unrestrained human desire for science and technology. 

 

So it seems that we desperately need the wisdom to know when to stop as science and technology advance. This is because science and technology do not always lead humanity to a blessed new world.

Working for Unification and Reconciliation on the Peninsula

 

In the Catholic Times' column on Reconciliation and Unification on the Peninsula a member of a research team gives the readers some thoughts on the present situation between South and North Korea.

At one time, the theory of the collapse of North Korea spread secretly. This was when the communist Eastern Bloc collapsed, and from the mid-1990s, North Korea was also faced with a life or death economic crisis. 

A large-scale defection of North Koreans who could not overcome hunger appeared and the image of young street children begging was released in the South Korean media. The news that the ration system was broken and the North Koreans were seeking food in a market system, led to wishful thinking that the conditions for a 'revolution from below' were established in North Korea.  

The expectation that North Korea could collapse had a profound effect on the South Korean government's policy toward North Korea. The most representative one was the attitude that even humanitarian aid to North Korea was criticized. The gist of this way of thinking was if left alone, the North Korean regime would have collapsed, but the North Korean government was supported and revived.  

Even though the relationship between aid to North Korea and North Korea's nuclear development could not be clearly determined, this thinking spread in the collective perception of South Korean society. This thinking was effective because of the expectation that North Korea could collapse.  

However, considering that the North Korean economic crisis actually started in the late 1980s, North Korea still survives 30 years later. The politically most sensitive area, the succession of power, was successfully accomplished for three generations, and the marketplace and 'marketization', which were considered the beginnings of the revolution from below, and the appearance of capitalists, have established themselves in the everyday areas of North Korean society.  

Although the number of North Korean defectors coming to South Korea is steady, the reason for the defection is more diversified than before, such as education for children and enjoying free cultural life rather than lack of food.  

Recently, many North Koreans, dressed well visit Panmunjeom, where only South Korean visitors appeared in the past. It is a kind of confidence in the system that they are not ashamed to present themselves to South Korea now. The predictions of those who were uncomfortable with the exchanges with North Korea because they thought the North would collapse have missed the mark. 

During that long period of crisis, North Korea has overcome difficult times and is concerned about a lack of protein and balanced nutrition among the citizens. Although North Korea's nuclear weapons have advanced, international sanctions in response to this have also been strengthened which impedes North Korea's economic development. 

Time is neither on the South Korean side nor on the North Korean side. The time when we didn't want to do anything was not enough time but we need to invest time now to achieve peace with North Korea. "So let's not judge each other anymore. Rather, be determined not to put obstacles or stumbling blocks in front of your brother" (Rom. 14:13).

The Pietà of Three Mothers

'Pietà' means grief in Italian, and is a well-known name for Michelangelo's statue the 'Pieta', which expresses the sorrow of Our Lady holding Jesus in her arms. This was a theme that has been used in the work of many artists, among which the 'Pieta' a statue by Käthe Kollwitz (originally Mother with a Dead Son) is now displayed in Berlin's Neue Wache in Berlin.

A religious sister writes in the Eyes of the Believer column of the Catholic Times on the strong feeling that the image of the mother in deep grief left her. The artist Kollwitz lost her own son in the war and the statue represents all the mothers who have lost their children through injustice and violence. There is a deep sadness in this work, but it also contains the strength of sublimated sadness. Kollwitz is an artist who overcomes sorrow and is committed to justice and peace. In her various works, the theme of the sorrow and solidarity of the underprivileged, such as workers and peasants is the theme. 

Two scenes come to the sister's mind while admiring Kollwitz's Pieta. She remembers a young man, Jeon Tae-il, who 50 years ago on Nov. 13th set himself on fire chanting "Abide by the Labor Standards Act! We are not machines!"

She recalls another woman embracing the portrait of her son Kim Yong-gyun a 24-year-old young man, an unregistered, temporary worker who died at a worksite in 2018. His body was caught in a conveyor belt for transporting coal without the proper safeguards for the workers.  

The death of Jeon Tae-il became a wake-up call to Korean society. Many began to realize that things had to change. And it did bring change and the beginning of seeing the way many of the poor were living. We had the growth in critical thinking, initiating several campaigns aimed at improving the living standards of the common people and decreasing social inequality. 

After Jeon Tae-il's death, his mother succeeded in her son's mission as a worker's mother and founded a Cloth Workers Union, committed to improving the labor reality with her colleagues. 

And in 2018, half a century later, another person who lost her young son, mother of Yong-gyun Kim participated in an activity to protest the problems with non-regular workers. After his death, his mother pledged to fight for the improvement of dangerous workplaces, listening to the analogy of the "son who fell into the well," saying how can they only be sad that the son is missing. 

We are preparing for the 50th anniversary of Jeon Tae-il's death like never before but as of 2020, the labor field has not improved much, and as of 2020, due to a heavy work load after coronavirus infection, about 7 workers a day die in the work place. Money has been put in first place over human dignity. What should be the understanding of believers on this issue?

Pope St. John Paul II, in the foreword in his encyclical on Labor says: "It is not for the Church to analyze scientifically the consequences that these changes may have on human society. But the Church considers it her task always to call attention to the dignity and rights of those who work, to condemn situations in which that dignity and those rights are violated, and to help to guide the above-mentioned changes to ensure authentic progress by man and society."

 

Pope Francis also said in a meeting with workers in 2013 that "the most important factor in human dignity is labor, and to achieve true human development, labor must be guaranteed, and this task is the duty of society as a whole."

Currently, Kim Yong-gyun's mother is shouting on the street with her son's colleagues, non-regular workers, calling for the enactment of the, "Punishment Act for Severe Accidents" ( A law aimed at protecting workers from industrial accidents by seeking punishment for the company and the relevant public officials in charge of safety management)

 

The sister concludes her article praying that the law in protection for the workers will be enacted.

Overcoming Hate in Society

 

"The real danger is what is always inside." This is what Pope Francis said in the film: The Two Popes. The real danger is those without love are like a contagious disease spreading anger and hatred. 

A parish priest writes in a bulletin for priests on the message of the German journalist and social activist Carolin Emcke in her book Against Hate, (translated both in Korean and English), on the ways hate is spread in society. She analyzes five characteristics of hate and hate feelings. 

Even in the world of faith, failing to overcome hatred toward others creates a self-centered and secularized darkness. 

First, hate and hate feelings are collectively formed according to certain ideologies, not personal and not by accident. Second, a defined style of expression—  abusive exclusion (hate speech) is necessary. Third, distorted associations and images are required to express a hate feeling. Fourth, understanding of self-love that justifies hate feelings. Fifth, the feelings of hate need to be formed and nurtured. 

Hatred is the feeling that arises when you have anger in your heart. When hatred is amplified, false public opinion is formed and it becomes a language of exclusion and hate and the bonding of those participating in hate. In other words, 'cheap solidarity' is being formed. These days, this language ​​of hate overflows in our society. 

Many citizens are experiencing great difficulties due to corona virus. Despite the self-sacrifice, dedication, perseverance, and volunteering that we see, we continue to experience fake news and the spread of anger and hatred. 

As a way to confront hatred, it is suggested that the haters must acknowledge what they lack. First, the need to find the cause of hateful feelings. The ability to accurately analyze and observe what it is. Second, the ability to separate one's hate feelings from the ideological premise that causes hate. Thirdly, to separate oneself from the crowd, objectively examine who they are with self-awareness and introspection.

The priest concludes his article by showing how Jesus did not get caught up in the hatred of his opponents, walked his own path without being discouraged by the violent anger of others. In every situation, he observed the reality before him with a spiritual eye.  Jesus, always discerned God's will in prayer and fully entrusted himself to God, and even when obstacles were placed in his way: "Jesus walked through the middle of the crowd and went his way" (Lk 4:30).

Carolin Emcke is a humanist and treats the issue of hatred that she has experienced both with nationalist and religious fanatics. We have a lot to learn from the humanist in their desire for a just society. They believe that human experience and rational thinking provide sufficient knowledge and a moral code that will enable all to live a full life without belief in revelation and 'superstition'—the non-scientific.

 

The desire for a society without hate is a desire of the religious and non-religious alike, hopefully, we can dialog on this issue and become experts on what it means to love.

Now not Tomorrow —Quality Time

It's a phrase he uses every year at this time: Why does time seem to  accelerate as we approach the end of the year? The physical, chronological time, the Chronos proceeds regularly in one direction and only following the laws of nature. Kairos is quality time, a time of feeling, free, meaningless, special, atypical time. So begins the 'Diagnosis of the Time' column in the Catholic Peace Weekly.

We have perceived time through certain regular cycles. The signals from nature are the units of day, month, four seasons, and year produced by the rotation and revolution of the earth and moon, the earth and the sun. In this regular cycle, feasts and calendars are created, and they are divided into hours, minutes, and seconds to create the concept of time to establish and create order and efficiency in our lives.

We know the difference between the time we feel at the beginning of the year and the end of the year, the difference between the time in the morning and the time in the evening, the difference between the motivation at the start of a job and the frustration or a sense of accomplishment at the end. However, a tsunami of greater change and chaos is approaching us.  

Do you remember the classic fairy tale "Momo" by German writer Michael Ende? If you borrow the contents of this work, we have businessmen dressed in gray suits appearing among us, living together with us in the village community, and calculating how inefficiently we live, and teaching us how to use profitably the time wasted by laziness. Humans who now have to squeeze and save time are increasingly chased by time, always busy, feel nervous, anxious, become obsessive, losing the little happiness they had.

In this deteriorating world, only Momo, the young child, who was living alone because there was no family to rely on, but who listened to the stories of everyone in the village and became friends to all, feels that there is a big problem in the world and begins to look for the cause.

Our reality is no different from this fable. In fact, this fable itself is a resemblance of a culture that has disappeared. We don't have too much time to enjoy daily life, relationships, or nature. Many acknowledge this but why doesn't it change? This is because we have pursued only 'efficiency' we are trapped in the concept of Chronos, the physical time measured by a machine called a clock.

We have built a world where achievements are measured and evaluated solely by material productivity. However, our civilization, which we have believed to be strong, is showing signs of collapse in the face of various challenges. Climate change strikes as a counterattack, environmental destruction, and human-initiated ecological disturbances pour out new viruses.

Momo, the protagonist, acts to restore human time, she follows the turtle that leads the way. Somehow, sharp eyes and agile movements, thieves of time with fast feet, and gray-suited humans cannot find the slow-moving turtle and Momo.

It's a paradox. We too must restore the aesthetics of slowness. You should feel the sunshine, the warmth, taste of tea, be happy with the softness of the cat's fur, and enjoy a relaxed conversation.

Finally, the writer wants to share the secret with the readers. In November, you feel depressed that this year is over and decide to start anew from next year, do not plan, do it now. Dates are just imaginary numbers recorded on the calendar— So now, not tomorrow.

The Catharsis that Comes from a Master Novelist

 

Not long ago, an acquaintance, riding together in a bus asked half-jokingly: "Will I be a little nicer after reading Dostoevsky's 'Sin and Punishment'?"  These words are the beginning of Peace Column in the Catholic Peace Weekly by a University professor.

The answer "no" popped out of her mouth, without much thought. It was embarrassing as it seemed to unknowingly reveal her inner world. She laughed but the question remained with her for some time.

If novels taught goodness and wisdom, the world would have been filled with sages and saints. Of course, at times you do learn something, but novels are not a very good medium of enlightenment in terms of time expended. There are many ways in which you can invest less time and get much more practical life advice. Then why on earth do you read a novel?

'Sin and Punishment' is a novel that shows human pride, sin, suffering, and rebirth based on profound Christian spirituality. Raskolnikov is a student with a wounded sense of worth, living in dire poverty on leave from school who kills an old woman the owner of a pawn shop. He hates the unfair world in which he lives and has a distorted sense of justice. Helping the poor with the money of the rich is the theory behind his actions but it really is a desire for power and false judgment of others that motivates the killing.

The punishment for his evil deeds is alienation. A painful, endless sense of loneliness and gloominess suddenly and clearly penetrated his soul. To be freed from the hell of absolute isolation and be reconnected with the world, he realizes he must first confess his sins.  He needs to bow to the whole world and say out loud to everyone: "I killed the woman". Then God will send you life again.

The road to life is both rough and inspiring. He falls down in front of his mother and kissed her feet, and the two held each other tightly and burst into tears. Eventually, the moment of resurrection comes to him, while repenting of his sins in Siberian exile. From sickness and weakness, the morning glow of the already renewed future, and complete resurrection entered his life.

As we read the novel, we are amazed to realize that Raskolnikov's cruel will and violent intelligence are within us. Sometimes his cramped boarding room is read as a metaphor for the guilt that imprisons us. His loneliness and alienation sometimes mirror the boredom of our lives. However, as soon as he finally confirms that he is on the path to rebirth, an amazing catharsis comes. We are thrilled by grace that penetrates into the heart of a sinner. What we experience finishing the book is difficult to describe.

The time we spend alone has increased due to the pandemic. If you're tired of breaking news reporting the number of confirmed cases of the virus and tired of 'entertainment'  in the media, let's start reading some of the classic novels. Reading the classics takes time and effort, but the rewards are enormous. Hermann Hesse once affirmed that Dostoevsky's novel should be read when in a period of suffering.

When we are miserable, when we suffer, when our whole life feels like a burning wound, read his novel, his music, his comfort, and his love come to us. It seems that now when we have to endure the pandemic, is the time when we need the comfort and love that this master novelist can convey.