Understandiing Human Disasters to Prevent Them

 

Two human disasters in Korea have been highlighted these past few years: the Sewol Ferry disaster and the Humidifier Disinfectant disaster, often mentioned in the press. A lawyer in the Catholic Peace Weekly Diagnosis of the Times column brings the issue to the readers. 

The activities of the 'Corruption Committee', which started in 2018, have entered their fifth year. Since November of last year, we have reviewed the results of previous investigations into the Sewol ferry and the humidifier disinfectant disaster in an open meeting of all members. This year the Committee activity period is ending. Families of the victims and the general public need to understand what happened as a basis for preventing a recurrence. Attention, including criticism and encouragement, is needed more than ever. 

The fact-finding process for human rights violations is not a simple process of confirming facts based on the 6 principles of news gathering: who, when, where, what, how, why. There are many complex problems, such as various facts, interpretations, and concerns, and the way to deal with these differences of opinion. This entire process should lead to healing socially, and especially to the victims.

The investigation into the cause of the Ferry Sewol sinking is a process of approaching the truth despite various limitations: damage to evidence, incompleteness of experiments, inaccuracies of statements, and the possibility of bias. There may be many disagreements, sometimes leading to distrust, hatred, attack, and criticism, but if approached calmly looking in the same direction, acceptable results, even if not completely satisfied, will be reached. 

The National Intelligence Service has produced 680,000 documents (including duplicate documents) related to the Ferry Sewol disaster, many have nothing to do with the issue. There have been various attempts to collect and neutralize information from the Blue House and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries. 

 

The Ferry Sewol disaster was a crisis to the government and raising issues to resolve the Sewol ferry disaster was considered a threat and operations were actually carried out against the victims' families, media, courts, and special investigators. And above all, knowing the facts, no one from the president to the Coast Guard made a responsible apology. In this state, more aggravated forms of disasters are bound to be repeated. 

When many people die or suffer from serious diseases of unknown cause, such as humidifier disinfectant disasters, the government must seek answers to solve the problem. The disaster had been neglected for a considerable period until the cause of the disaster was confirmed in 2011, and the government should take clear responsibility for it.

Some companies did not hesitate to cover up and discard relevant evidence afterward. The behavior of companies that approached the committee as if they were conducting operations against the victims should not be repeated again. The companies are to be the vanguard of "social value" and "environmental, social and cooperate governance". (ESC) should not be the same as it is now. 

The 8th anniversary of the Sewol ferry disaster is approaching, and victims of the humidifier sterilizer disaster are complaining of frustration for not solving the issue. Government agencies, corporations, and other relevant entities should be guided toward overcoming disasters based on principles and responsibilities. Change is possible only when all of us who know how to feel pain are with the victims' families until justice is achieved.

 

Value of Study in Old Age

 

One year ends and another year begins. Rather than dreaming of something new, the priest columnist of Reading the World Theologically in the Catholic Times wants us to live the faith. 

If there is a small wish: he wants to enjoy life a little bit more rather than lamenting the passage of time. Somethings in life we can't change and must learn to respond wisely but other things we can change and on these, we need to focus.

 Pleasures in life are mainly related to the senses. It's pleasing to the eyes to see, ears to hear, the mouth to eat, pleasant the sense of touch and smell. But sadly, in this heartless capitalist era, the pleasures of many of the senses and desires demand money and time. People who don't have money and can't afford time don't enjoy these pleasures to the same degree. 

However, true pleasure is not the pleasure that arises from material consumption that satisfies the senses and desires, but the pleasure of the act itself. Studying and walking are things we can enjoy without cost and without much time. All you need is a willingness to learn and an open mind. Studying can be done at any age. 

Studying at a young age usually seeks achievement, recognition, and power. Studying when old can be aimed more at the enjoyment of learning itself. The older you get, the more you need to study. For the pure pleasure of knowledge, and for a humble and rewarding old age. Many are the reasons studying in old age is good, inquiry and curiosity always keep us young. The ideal is to study life until the moment of death. Studying life in youth and middle age also makes people mature, but studying life in old age moves us towards wisdom.

All studies are done to know correctly and understand deeply. You do not study to judge, criticize, or use it as power. The act of studying is reading, thinking, and writing. Reading various books, thinking from various angles through the medium of reading, and translating one's thoughts and words into writing. The act of studying contains the joy of reading other people's various thoughts, the pleasure of forging one's own thoughts, and the joy of being a writer using one's own words. Of course, thinking and writing are often painful labors. The act of studying includes listening and talking. Studying is not one-way. Studying takes place through conversations with books and candid conversations with others. 

The joy and pleasure of studying are not the results of achievement, but rather come naturally from the process. True study penetrates the head, mind, and body. True study always aims at life. The joy of knowing itself is great. But the real study is to do it with the body. Studying by moving your body touches your heart and changes your life. The journey of study is the process of knowing with the head, realizing with the heart, and realizing it with the body. Studying with the head, mind, body, and life transforms, matures, and humbles us. The more you study, the more you will confess: "There are so many things I don't know." 

Our Faith also needs study. Theology is the academic study of faith, the reflection of the church, and the reading of the signs of the times. Theology is 'wisdom', 'rational knowledge', and 'critical reflection on Christian religious practice'. The study of theology should not be limited to a few experts. Studying theology is something that all believers can do. "Every act of a Christian, either explicitly or implicitly, already expresses theology. In other words, called by God to grapple with the ultimate questions of human existence and the fate of the world." 

The study of faith is also the study of the Bible and doctrine. Today's Bible study is not just a historical-critical approach to studying the biblical texts and contexts. Rather, it values ​​the life of the Bible reader as much as the author of the Bible. For the Bible to become a living word for us today, we must study today's life. It is a humanistic bible study in a broad sense. Reading the world in the light of faith and in the light of the Bible is an element of the study of faith.

 A study of faith, a living faith, a faith that shakes and transforms lives, Pope Francis makes clear. (Speech on December 21, 2017) "A faith that does not make us grow is a faith that needs to grow. A faith that does not raise questions is a faith that has to be questioned. A faith that does not rouse us is a faith that needs to be roused. A faith that does not shake us is a faith that needs to be shaken. Indeed, a faith that is only intellectual or lukewarm is only a notion of faith. It can become real once it touches our heart, our soul, our spirit, and our whole being. Once it allows God to be born and reborn in the manger of our heart. Once we let the star of Bethlehem guide us to the place where the Son of God lies, not among Kings and riches, but among the poor and humble."

Our Blessed Mother exemplifies the study of the faith. Studying the faith is learning and putting into practice the way of Jesus with an attitude of asking questions and pondering (Luke 1:29.34) and with a delicate gaze that seeks God’s will in everything (Luke 2:19.51).

Stewards Not Owners

 

The COVID-19 virus, made its appearance in the beginning of  2020. At that time no one knew that the  virus would turn the world upside down. A journalist writing in the Catholic Times  Eyes of the Believer column gives the readers something to think about.

  

At that time we thought that when a vaccine or cure comes along, Corona 19 would disappear. This was everyone's shortsighted opinion and became the hope. In the past two years, there have been 280 million confirmed cases worldwide, and 5.4 million people have died. This is literally a pandemic and catastrophe. Korea is no exception, with the cumulative number of confirmed cases exceeding 600,000 and the death toll exceeding 5,100.

 

Before and after COVID-19, life has brought about a drastic change from offline to online, face-to-face to non-face-to-face. Let's talk about the case of the Catholic Press Council, which the writer is serving. Two years ago, due to social distancing, he tried a non-face-to-face zoom class by delaying the first half of the year to the second half. Experience unfamiliar to both instructors and students. The zoom method was  one way, so the students' reactions were unknown and interactive communication was difficult. Fortunately, the in-depth course in the second half of last year was a face-to-face class, and both instructors and students responded well. After the lecture, the party was also a small pleasure. In the COVID-19 era, one misses warm human relations more.

 

The Catholic Forum, which seeks a solution by bringing up social hot issues once a year was held live on YouTube for the second consecutive year under the theme of "Korean Society, Fairness, and Solution to Youth Problems." In the past, while the venue was specified and the number of participants was limited, the exposure effect was greater as it proceeded with only the minimum number of presenters and used YouTube. In addition, the advantage of expanding social consensus even after the forum was over was the bonus.

Following the development of vaccines, and treatments, he  thought the  crisis was over but he  was wrong again. This time, the Omicron mutation with weak symptoms but strong transmission,  overtook the Delta and emerged as the dominant variant. The living 'With Corona' measures by which we dreamed of recovering from daily life retreated again and distancing was strengthened. The global village is busy overcoming problems due to lock-downs and telecommuting. It is a great ordeal for mankind.

What is the best way for us to act in the midst of the spread of the pandemic. First of all we must protect the earth, our home and ourselves and be more sensitive to climate change. Did not the indiscriminate human behavior boomerang to our harm bringing about the Covid 19 pandemic? The earth is our common home, Let's take into account the words of Pope Francis, emphasizing that both humans and nature living in a common house are connected. The use or development of nature should only be carried out within the scope of maintaining God's creative order. Let's change our thinking 'for future generations and for the rights of nature', as in the book "Apology for the Earth" by a former Justice Minister of Korea. The columnist is drawn to the Justice Minister's insistence to give the earth a legal personality, that is asking persons concerned to restore the earth to its original state when harmed by human efforts.

 

In addition, in order to overcome  climate crisis and its urgency, the global community must boldly cooperate in movements for 'decarbonization' (process of reducing carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions resulting from human activity in the atmosphere). In particular, let us believers avoid using disposable products and take the lead in the separation of waste for recycling.  We must keep in mind that we are not the rulers of the earth, but the protectors. Small streams come together to form a large river. He believes when our awakening and small practices are combined, the Earth will sprout new life and COVID-19 will gradually disappear like spring snow melting.

 

The Need to Love Ourselves

The Catholic Peace Weekly will begin a column in the new year written by the director of the Adlerian Psychology Association to help understand pain and the process to overcome the difficulties in everyday life through psychology and spirituality.  

With the prolonged COVID-19, more and more people complain of helplessness and deprivation. The word "corona blue" has been coined, chronic unhappiness is becoming a social phenomenon. In this environment, humans are bound to have feelings of inferiority. Timidity and anxiety add to the feeling of inferiority. However, after about two years of the COVID-19 situation, we gradually adapt to our daily lives and gain a feeling of safety.
 
Alfred Adler (1870-1937), the founder of personal psychology, said that humans constantly feel a lack and develop the ability to improve. In other words, to change the sense of inferiority into a plus situation, we need to continually motivate ourselves.
 
Alfred Adler spent his childhood with a sense of inferiority. When he was young, he didn't start walking until he was four years old because of rickets, and he almost died of pneumonia. At the age of 3, he also experienced his younger brother's death in his bed, and he was highly competitive due to his inferiority complex with his older brother. Adler often talked about his memory as a child. When he had pneumonia the doctor said that he would probably not make it. At that time, Adler decided to become a positive and hopeful doctor for patients fighting death.
 
The events Adler experienced as a child were traumatic. However, to overcome trauma, he became a doctor who treated trauma, giving hope to those who experienced pain and providing psychological education and group therapy to prevent it. His willingness to overcome his inferiority complex was a firm goal for the future and devoted his life to creating and expanding psychology that would be useful to others.
 
Even if we have already overcome pain and trials, the memories remain and we can psychologically re-experience the pain. It is the negative meaning given to the experience rather than the pain itself that makes it difficult. After all, it is 'I' who gives meaning to the experience, so the reaction and results of those with the same experience are different.
 
The sense of inferiority, which is a state of wanting to make up for what I lack, becomes the power to set goals and implement them. With pain, I try to become stronger, and overcome my sense of inferiority and strive for a better future. The research results of brain scientists say that the human brain is motivated when it has a clear purpose for action, and when the purpose for life is blocked, the emotional response is revealed as discomfort. 'Humans do not live for failure.' They are programmed to do better, 'motivated for success.
 
Having a clear purpose and hope to change the present for the better, is the biggest factor in changing human behavior. So even in this unpredictable Corona situation, we are overcoming the current difficulties expecting a more stable situation. How much effort do we expend trying to overcome the many difficulties? Aren't we running from morning to evening for ourselves, family, and work? What do we want, enjoy doing, and how much rest do we plan for ourselves? How much do I comfort myself and take care of myself?
 
The factors of human growth are positive things such as know-how, strength, persistence responsibility, sincerity, effort, and passion. Let's take a look at what strengths and know-how and the positive factors of our lives and how well we are using them. In 2022, let's acknowledge who we are today for ourselves, family, and neighbors, and prioritize taking care of ourselves. When we are at peace and a little more comfortable, others will be comfortable.

The Ability to Give Thanks Is A Grace

A retired member of the National Assembly writes in the Catholic Peace Weekly on his thoughts on seeing a banner in front of a church with the words: Gratitude is Power. He thought he understood what was said but with time more meanings came to mind

Gratitude is a capability God has given us. Does it mean that those who don't have gratitude are incompetent? Does it mean that if a person has even the slightest ability, he should live with gratitude? He realizes there is no right answer and thinks it might have something to do with God since it was in front of a church.
 
Then he thought, perhaps the refrain for this passage would be "Prayer is a grace." Ultimately, prayer begins with self-reflection and thanksgiving. He started the year with gratitude for the ability to pray.

There is an odd ritual he does every year at this time—'updating the will'. It's not just writing, it's updating. It's been years since he started doing this nonsense. At first, he erased last year's will and wrote a new one, but he started writing each year's will after the previous one, for no other reason except it's interesting looking back on the past.
 
Long ago, when he was living in Japan, an influential media company planned a book titled: The Epitaph On My Tomb Stone. It was asking the readers how did they want to be remembered after they die, and what kind of life did they want to live. It was literally a last will and testament. However, it is also a message of hope for those left behind with regrets as they look back on their own past lives. From this, he thought it would be meaningful to write a testament in this style.
 
This work is inevitably made up of memories and stories related to people or things that have been connected to the writer. However, unlike prayer, there is some room for completion because it can contain a commitment to complete tasks or wishes that were not completed the previous year. As a result, it is more of a New Year's message to oneself than the last testament.
 
What he can't ignore in making new resolutions is learning from people older than him. Habits and actions that we want to emulate, actions we don’t want to emulate, are all lessons in wisdom. His parents and siblings are more likely to resemble each other, so it is necessary to closely observe the words and actions of the elderly and imagine oneself in the future.
 
Repeating the same words over and over, blatant self-pride, gossiping about other people's children, worrying about the country, envying those who have a good life, and swearing at politicians is the routine in our daily lives as we enter the aging society. Is he an exception? Just as we have become accustomed to preventive vaccines thanks to the COVID-19 virus, there are vaccines we need to take as we age. The decision to follow the example of those I want to follow and avoid the words and deeds of those I don't want to follow should be part of my habitual way of life at this time of year, whether the process is prayer or writing a will.

How to Remember 2021?

The Diagnosis of the Times columnist in the Catholic Peace Weekly writes on the thoughts that came to mind on reading an article about a Chinese grandmother.

At the end of this year, Chinese media reported the death of a grandmother. A hot topic worldwide because she was the oldest living person. However, the exact year of birth was not confirmed, so it remained an unofficial record, and the estimate in China was that she was born in 1886, 135 years old. Even if mistaken by a few years she had great longevity. Born at the end of the 19th century, she saw the 100th year of the 20th century and lived about one-fifth into the 21st century. The columnist when reading the article had a lot of questions he would have liked to ask her.

"Grandma, when did you feel it was the best time to live?" Grandma, when was the hardest and most hideous time to live?"

Why don't you ask your grandmother that? There will be people who will do it. Yes. My grandmother was not over 100 years old, but was born in 1902 and died in 1998, so she lived almost a century. In her old age, she liked listening to her eldest grandson's stories the most. She experienced the last years of the Joseon Dynasty, the Japanese colonial era, the Korean War, Park Jung-hee, Chun and Roh, and some of the recent governments.

Why didn't his grandmother tell her eldest grandson about her experiences of joy and suffering? She remembers that the most difficult time was when her cousins, who had attended good schools during the Japanese colonial period, came home after being caught and beaten by patrol officers for allegedly communicating with the independence army and studying unsettling ideologies.
 
The happiest moments were when she had a party in her hometown, and when she was able for a couple of weeks to leave her harsh married life in Pyongyang and attend a Bible school opened by a foreign missionary and study the Bible. It was a time of learning the Korean language with other girls her age. She will never forget the time they spent together.

Whether it is a long-lived Chinese grandmother or his grandmother, the important things in our lives are experiences and memories. Although it is everything in life for a human being, the experience and memory of a group is also history. This history, information, knowledge, lessons, and wisdom needs to past down to future generations.  
 
Let's shift our focus from his grandmother, who shared her experiences with her grandchildren, to ourselves. We have to sort out and organize our life and the experiences contained in them. The key to finding meaning in the successes and failures of actions we took to survive by adapting to changes in the environment, whether we intended it or not, is what we call reflection.
 
He feels this year 2021 has gone by really fast. In fact, looking back at the end of the year, where is the time that doesn't fly like an arrow? Time is always slow at the beginning of any period, and at the end of the period, we are overcome by speed.

The COVID-19 pandemic, which began early last year, continues throughout the country. Despite the vaccination rate in advanced countries, including Korea, it exploded again with the new approach of living "With Corona". Concerns are now growing over the infectious power of the Omicron mutation. In this situation, what memories will be left as this year's experience?
 
He remembers the stories that his grandmother told him and the last stanza of the song she sang lingers in his head.

"What is your hope now that you have experienced the difficulties of life. Are the riches and honors received sufficient?"

Hoping for Better Days. Happy New Year!

"Hope again!" Small merchants waiting for the new year with hope. Dreaming of a market crowded with people again. It's less than half the sales compared to before. Even if the rent is lowered the stores are closing one after another. This is the situation that many are facing because of the pandemic and the Catholic Times featured article gives the readers the thoughts and worries of some of the merchants at the start of the New Year.

 

Traditional markets  are one of the hardest hit by COVID-19. Small merchants, who have mainly operated face-to-face sales, sigh deeply. Let's listen to the stories of those who are continuing their days with hope, although it is a difficult time to celebrate the New Year.

"I've never had so few  customers before  the Christmas holidays. Not even half as much as before. I think it's worse than last year." The words Mr. Kim a clothing wholesale business owner entering his store.

He has been operating the store for 19 years since he took over the wholesale  business at the age of 30 from his relations. The time the reporter was in the store was about three hours from 8 p.m. when the store opened. Usually, this  is the time when most customers come to inquire about clothes, but almost all stores, including Kim's store, were quiet.

Kim reduced the number from three stores to one last year due to COVID-19 one of his longest workers quit when Mr.Kim had to adjust the work of the employees to four days a week and inevitably reduce wages. Kim expressed regret, saying: "It was a difficult decision, but it was an inevitable choice to be able to continue.

Although the number of customers has decreased since COVID-19, the number of customers has decreased also because  the operating hours of restaurants and cafes have been limited to 9 p.m. due to social distancing. In particular, as social distancing has been strengthened since December 18, the number of people visiting stores has decreased, increasing concerns among merchants, including Kim.

The Peace Market, which was lively, has become incomparably quiet as foreigners were blocked from entering the country and general business restrictions were imposed. Since COVID-19, about 20% of stores have closed.
 

In particular, a shopping mall with middle-aged women's clothing stores, which focused on face-to-face sales, have lowered rents from 1.2 million won to 400,000 won, but most merchants are considering closing their businesses, despite the lowering of the rent.
 

COVID-19 was the biggest disaster for another merchant who  attracted customers through face-to-face sales. "IMF, the 2008 economic crisis was not this bad."

The pastor and the  parishioners of a quasi parish in one of the markets are doing their best to give hope to the owners of businesses in one of the Seoul markets. Many find hope in their faith. "I can't imagine a life without faith in this situation." During the year-end and New Year holidays, when stores should be crowded, there are only a lot of items piled up in the shopping district.
 

Currently, merchants are leaning on faith more desperately than ever. Merchants continue day by day  looking ahead with hope that the situation will be getting better.
 

The pastor has set aside time for Holy Hour every Friday, and when the Corona 19 subsided he personally visited the market merchants to say hello prayed with them and  showed concern for their health. Merchants said they are getting a lot of strength from the pastor's interest, and they feel that the church is playing a big role.  

 

"Corona 19 is a disaster that has never been seen before for merchants who have been living in the market. In the midst of a difficult life and irregular religious life, we want to help merchants to be comforted in faith and overcome this crisis."

 

In faith, hope shines brighter when shared with our neighbors. One of the merchants who had a hard time recently due to the effects of COVID-19, but he was able to recover quickly and returned to his daily life with the interest and prayers of the parishioners.

One merchant in a  situation where it was difficult to pay the monthly rent but those who met him did  not go away empty-handed. He is giving hope to those who are more in need. "A lot of money doesn't mean I'm happy," he said adding, "When I serve and share with a heart of love, I find the true meaning of life. It's a very difficult time, but if we find hope in the Lord who is always with us and share that hope with our neighbors, someday a bright light will shine brightly on us." Happy New Year!