Honesty In the Market Place

 

It's not easy to follow the Catholic faith while running a business? Many things need to be done. With these words, the Peace Column of the Catholic Peace Weekly begins.

This is a conversation that usually appears at the beginning when people who know that the writer is a Catholic ask him questions as head of a foundation. This prejudice may have arisen from the idea that corporations are profit-seeking groups. However, as you know, business activities are not simply the pursuit of profit. They also have responsibility for society, including employment, and activities with various purposes and functions. The writer has been a businessman for a long time and is thankful for having a faith life.  

"Who are trustworthy persons?" "How does one go about getting a lot of trustworthy people?"

Management becomes easier when there are many people you can trust. There will be fewer mistakes and failures, and the effort to check and monitor will inevitably be reduced. "Can you trust that friend?" The answer to this very common question is that the same words are repeated all the time.

"Of course. That friend and my brother-in-law lived in the same neighborhood for some time. It's a local person. You can believe what is said." "Yes, it's okay to trust that friend. I went to middle and high school with that friend for six years." "Yes, he is trustworthy. My cousin is married to that person, so I know the family well."

It sounds good when you hear it, but if you think about it, the answer is that it's okay to trust because there is a relationship between friends, school, and blood. However, it has been proven countless times how futile such trust based on regionalism, academic ties, and blood ties is in companies and organizations, there are still many in our society that cannot escape from this thinking.

So, who can be trusted? And how can you make sure there are a lot of trustworthy people in your organization?  

"A trustworthy person admits his mistakes and keeps his promises." Since mistakes are not covered over but made known unconditionally, it is possible to know transparently whether the person did a good job or not. If he honestly admits that he has done something wrong, he should  be allowed to realize and learn so that it does not happen again. A person who keeps his promise is someone who can increase credibility and sustainability even if he loses something in keeping his promise. Exposed to harsh performance-oriented evaluations and unlimited competition, performance and results take first place and honesty is pushed aside.
 

However, with faith, it is already clear that we must admit mistakes and live a life that keeps our promises. Are there any more powerful means of admitting mistakes than the sacrament of confession? Is there a more powerful promise than making a promise with God through daily prayer and reaching the resurrection beyond death? The Catholic faith always teaches us to raise reliable people who admit their mistakes and keep their promises. This explanation leads to the next question.

"Then, wouldn’t it be better to hire more people with such good character?" "No, it won’t be. What can make a person of good character bad is the way a company operates."
 
No matter how good the character is, if a company's operating rules are harsh and if a mistake is made, regardless of the process and cause, if punishment and disadvantages are given, everyone will cover up the mistake. It is because in the management of the organization survival takes precedence. No matter how much a practitioner makes a promise to an external stakeholder, if he is constantly driven by supremacy of performance, he has no choice but to choose performance and abandon his promises if he wants to  survive. In other words, if the organization is operated in a way that allows mistakes to be admitted and promises to be kept, more people can be trusted, and if the evaluation is harsh and constantly based on short-term performance, even people with good character will hide mistakes and abandon promises.

However, God gives us infinite love so that we can admit our mistakes and ask for forgiveness and become better people. Our work will also improve.

Reason, Will, Faith

"Faith is the result of the act of the will,following upon a conviction that to believe is a duty." St. John Henry Newman

 

In the Catholic Peace Weekly "Uncomfortable Content's Column," the writer introduces the readers to his thoughts on the faith life of some believers.

He goes back to an end-of-the-year drinking party where a younger friend next to him suddenly asked: "Do you really believe there is a God? To attend church weekly as you do?" It must have been amazing to see a man who had lived dissolutely for a long time suddenly end his apathy a few years ago and resume his religious life seriously.  

Well, he's also curious. He was hesitant about what to answer, but his friend said: "Isn’t it because you like going to church every Sunday to receive comfort and peace of mind?" Nodding his head at what he just said. His friend wasn't wrong, and he wanted to explain 'belief' in one or two words, so he swallowed his answer silently. ‘So, what exactly is faith?’

What he was going to say that day would have been something like this. Faith is not complete, it is always in the process of being made. He is not sure of God. To tell the truth, he has no choice but to say so. Even though he makes a confession of faith at Mass, he still cannot fully believe in the existence of an all-powerful God, and it is difficult for him to believe that a virgin conceived a child and that her son died and was resurrected. After all, he considers himself a half-penny believer who does not fully believe in any of the most essential facts of the Christian faith.

A long time ago, when he was in the military he dared to ask the chaplain if he really believed in the resurrection. "I tried to believe, so I came to believe. Strange as it seems, without question. You will believe it too." He remembers being comforted by the priest's answer.

What is Faith Really? "To have faith is to be sure of the things we hope  for, to be certain of things we cannot see."  By faith, we understand that the world was prepared by the word of God so that the visible came out of the invisible (Hebrews 11). It says that faith saves us and that the ancestors of faith proved it. However, he sympathizes with Apostle Thomas who believed in the resurrection only after touching the hand of Jesus. We live in a world too scientific and rational to believe in such impossible things.

He concludes by asking the readers not to expect him to believe unconditionally. Without doubts, there will be no growth in faith. Since Jesus said that the poor in heart and those who mourn have the kingdom of heaven, he wants to believe that God's great 'Will' exists even in the humility of those who acutely realize their lack of faith and will. As long as our lives have a purpose, that purpose is to exist in some way. I pray that it will be a new year in which everyone comes one step closer to his will to love others and hope for a better life.

The thoughts of our columnists are those shared by many of our Christians and non-believers. #155 of the Catholic Catechism we hear that: In faith, the human intellect will cooperate with divine grace: "Believing is an act of the intellect assenting to the divine truth by command of the will moved by God through grace."

The ways of coming to a belief in God are many but it's always a gift. The easiest access to faith on our part would seem to be an investigation, experience, study, the perusal of history discovering what Jesus left on earth before leaving us. For many, it was a community, an institution—Church—that was left. It's composed of weak, sinful human beings and yet many are able to see beyond the human element, the corruption, and evil and see the hand of God working in his mystical body the Church. They have been graced.

  

 

A Wise Rabbit digs three Burrows-

 

We are ushering in a New Year. Last  year was the  year of the Tiger this year is the year of the Rabbit. 

 

The Catholic Times in its Reconciliation North/South Issue Column a Research Fellow with the Northeast Asian Peace Institute gives us his thoughts on the 'Chengyu' a traditional idiomatic expression which is usually made up of four Chinese characters. He entitled the column (狡兎三窟) "A cunning rabbit digs three burrows."

  

When he thinks of rabbits, the Aesop's fable about the race with a tortoise comes to mind. This is a story where the rabbit races with the tortoise, far ahead and  lost the race  to the sincere tortoise because he was careless and fell asleep. The lesson gained is that sincerity is often  more important than individual ability.

 

He remembers reading in a book and was surprised by the reaction of the children in the North that was different from here in the South. In the past, a cultural delegation from the Soviet Union visited the north, and it seemed that the schedule included time to inspect an elementary school. At the request of the principal of the school, the delegation leader, gave a short speech in front of the students, told them the story of the 'Rabbit and the Turtle'.  He finished saying: "Now, children, don’t be lazy like rabbits, but work hard like turtles." Suddenly, a student raised his hand and asked: "Why didn't Comrade Tortoise wake up Comrade Rabbit from his sleep and go with him? It goes against the cooperative spirit of socialism that we were taught."

 

We would see it as an individual problem, but the North Korean children saw it as as communal problem. He also had a different response than the North Korean child.

  

The columnist explains to the readers the  four-character idiom (狡兎三窟). "A cunning rabbit digs three burrows." It may mean creating multiple alternatives when working. He used the expression cunning, but in fact, it would be correct to say a wise rabbit. 

 

About our country in 2023, experts in each field are generally expressing  negative views. In particular, the outlook for the economy and foreign affairs and security is bleak.

 

There are also concerns that the interests and conflicts of neighboring countries may directly collide in the geopolitical space of the Korean Peninsula. In this case, it seems necessary to prepare two or three wise alternatives like rabbits in the above expression.   

 

In addition, he  hopes that individuals will have the wisdom of the three burrows in their religious life. In particular, he would like to think about various ways to persuade the apathetic Christians who have increased in number as they passed through COVID-19 and to share the religious values of reconciliation and peace.He prays that all will have a decision filled year of wisdom.

Catholic Church and Synodality

 

"The journey of Synodality is the path God expects from the church in the 3,000th century."

These are the words of Pope Francis reported in the Catholic Peace Weekly by a professor in the humanities department. One theologian said that if Synodality is not realized, the Second Vatican Council will be a "broken path". Synodality is actually the way to realize the blooming of the church declared by the Council in the 20th century.

In Korean churches, many shepherds and believers expect Synodalitas to give the church new vitality. And it seems that such expectations include the 'democratization of the church'.

The basis of Synodality is the equal dignity of all members. Believing in Jesus we received a "new" identity as the children of God, and this identity one of the noblest can't be compared to anything else.

All Christians, whether shepherds or believers, confess the same faith in Jesus Christ, share the same bread, love with the love of God revealed in Jesus, and have the same hope for eternal life. Therefore, all Christians are fundamentally united by brotherhood and also carry out the same mission of testifying and proclaiming Jesus Christ. This is what it means to have equal dignity.

Shepherds and believers testify to Christ in their own ways and serve the truth, as active subjects. The shepherds and the believers have common responsibilities in testifying to the truth, although in different ways. This Synodality is very much like democracy. It is understandable that not a few people regard Synodality as a democratization of the church.

However, Synodality has more to think about. Not all Christians are active subjects, but they are not the "main characters" of the church. Because it is the Holy Spirit who makes the church live, proclaims the gospel, makes people confess Jesus as Christ, and call God Father. The main character of the church is the Holy Spirit. We are actively participating in the leadership of the Holy Spirit.

Therefore, the Synodality journey needs a third reference point in addition to its members. There is a common point that both shepherds and believers should look at: the Holy Spirit, the Word, the Success, and the Love of God. In short, like a triangle, God's domain is needed in addition to the relationship between humans. For a community connected by the brotherhood to be truly a people of God, not just a fraternity, a third vertex is needed to illuminate, guide, and interpret what we do. In the Synodality journey, important listening and identification is the process of recognizing this reference point, and implementation is to follow this reference point. This is the fundamental reason why Synodality cannot be identified with democracy even though there are many democratic elements.

Therefore, the church of Synodality is not simply about creating a "church from below." A church that moves around the reference point is a church that communicates in various directions, from top to bottom, from bottom to top, and horizontally. While shepherds and believers play their own roles and respect each other's dignity, they look at the same reference point together. In the language of democracy, there is a democratic element, but it is Synodality that goes beyond democracy. Synodality is not just a decision-making process, but a 'process' that takes place throughout the life of the church.

Happy New Year!

 

The New Year of 2023 has dawned. So begins The
eyes of the Believer Column in the Catholic Times.
 
The year 2023 has dawned. The word new year reminds the columnist of the feeling of life and hope more than anything else. Just like the words that make the heart flutter even when young people hear them, the same goes for the first day of the new year. Even though our bodies are mature and old, shouldn't we be young at heart? Like the white drawing paper that absorbs all the colors and becomes the basis for a beautiful painting, he hopes that this morning we too have a clean and generous heart that embraces the world and our neighbors.
 
If the end of last year was a time to let go of old things, New Year's Eve is a time to welcome new things. Between Yesterday and Today there is only a difference of one day, but a change in the year. Yesterday is like today, and today will be like yesterday, and yet change is orderly and unmistakable. This must be the providence of God the Creator.
 
When he thinks about time, the ancient Greek words 'Chronos' and 'Kairos' come to mind. Compared to Chronos, which is an objective, physical time that flows from the past-present-future, Kairos is a subjective and decisive time that experiences a special moment or change. In particular, from the perspective of the Hebrews, Kairos is the time that takes place in a relationship with God. Therefore, we Christians are beings living the Kingdom of God here and now in Kairos time.
 
At the start of the new year, everyone thinks about what and how to live this year. Based on such deliberation, yearly goals and plans are made. He remembers making a life plan before vacation in elementary school and showing it to the teacher. He drew a round circle in the shape of a clock on white drawing paper and filled it with a daily schedule. It's a daily schedule that is a miniature version of the annual plan, for the ambitious resolution for a year begins to fade with time unless we do something similar to what the teacher suggested.
 
Do you have plans for this year too? Whether it's a big step or a small step, the will to dream of something is the first step. It is not something to be disappointed and hesitant about even if you end up with a three-day resolution. This is because such trial and error is also the material that forms one's present. He recommends you do not worry about the future and start with small things and practice them.
 

The columnist wants to pat himself on the back with new hope in the new year as he enters his second year of retirement. Like the excitement of schoolchildren preparing for a picnic. Above all, he tries to practice reading, writing, and walking, which are his 'three pleasures of life' (人生三樂). Also, as a Christian, he needs to think more about his identity, church, and life of faith. What would Jesus say to him now and what practice would he be asked to do? He wants to get away from prayer and faith life only for himself and his family and turn his attention more to his neighbor and society.
 
"A bird does not look back as it flies. All the past, good or bad, is like a stone attached to your wings and hinders your journey in the present moment." He quotes a Korean poet to emphasize freedom after letting go. Yes. There is no need to mournfully look into the past, which will never come again. The past is just a time to remember and learn. The future comes hesitantly, and the present flies like an arrow. So, wouldn't it be important to act according to God's word in the living present? He hopes the New Year 2023 will be a time of giving and receiving much love in the grace of the Lord and in 'God’s Time Kairos'. Take care of your health with a rabbit-like smile, be harmonious with your family, and hope that everything you want bears fruit abundantly. May the Lord's blessings fill your home. Amen!

St. Francis de Sales' Spirituality

 

December 28 of this year marks the 400th anniversary of the death of St. Francis de Sales the "Saint of Meekness and Doctor of Charity." Saint John Bosco in the 19th century, made a vow at the time of his priestly ordination that "Salesian charity and gentleness will be my guide." He was a follower of St. Francis de Sales and this simple spirituality of kindness was the reason the community he established was called the Society of St, Francis de Sales in his honor in 1859 dedicated to the education of youth (Salesians). 

The director of a Theological Institute in the Eyes of the Believer Column of The Catholic Times introduces us to the spirituality of St. Francis de Sales. She feels that the saint's spirituality is not well known among our present-day Catholics.

Many laymen, from aristocrats to the poor, approached the Bishop de Sales for spiritual guidance, he led them to respond to God's Spirit by asking: "You can do that can't you?" rather than instructing them to act in a certain way. He was leading them to respond to the Holy Spirit in their way. 

Among the books he wrote is: "Introduction to the Devout Life" which was edited by collecting spiritual guidance letters written to the one who loves God. It was one of the first books written for lay spirituality and is still read as a classic. This book respects the unique life and calling of lay people living in the world, breaking away from the long-standing conventional wisdom about Christian spirituality and perfection.

The saint viewed the world and human nature created by God with love, emphasizing that just as the gifts of the Holy Spirit vary (see 1 Cor 12:1-11), each person bears the fruit of their devotion according to their position and office in life. In the Introduction to the Devout Life, he says that it is foolish for the laity to shut themselves up in the church, not to take care of their families, and not to work. The spirituality of the laity suggests that it is more important to strive to build on the virtues such as patience, kindness, humility, poverty, chastity, and gentleness in daily life rather than excessive fasting or penance. Among the virtues, 'humility', which leads to a life pleasing to God, and 'meekness', which leads to a life pleasing to one's neighbor, are the 'double commandment of love (refer to Matthew 22:37-40) to love God and one's neighbor. 

He taught that 'charity' is when we try to live the virtues with God-given love, and when we do well naturally and frequently in our daily lives with that charity, this natural act is 'piety'. In other words, the devout life he thinks goes beyond prayers for inner sanctification and pious acts but continues in the practice of loving God and neighbor in daily life. He emulated Jesus' humility' and 'meekness' and emphasized the spirituality of practicing 'Vive Jésus' in everyday life.

For this practical devotional life, the saint explains the prayer method of meditating on the life of Jesus. Emphasis was placed on training. In addition, even if it is not a specific 'space' of a church, he recommended we build a small church in our hearts in the middle of our daily lives and have a 'time' of holy spiritual seclusion where we stop for a while to reflect and remain in God’s love. And when this kind of reflection and meditation is over, he urges us to go back to our daily life and constantly reflect on our resolution and its practice. 

In this final week of waiting for Christmas, light all four Advent candles and take a moment of spiritual seclusion recommended by the saint. To her who hopes and resolves to deeply feel the love of God who is with us always, she wants to become a humble and meek Jesus, the Salesian saint seems to be quietly whispering to her not to stop talking but to act the talk.

Born In a World Without Peace

 

The Catholic Times' Weekly column on Reconciliation on the peninsula reminds us of the King of peace and the times in which he was born.

The baby Jesus, came to the world as the Prince of Peace, born paradoxically in a land far from peace. The estimated year of Jesus' birth, 4 B.C., was the year Herod the Great died. The tyrant, even executed his wife and sons in order not to lose his power. After his death, the territory ruled by Herod was divided into three parts, and Judea was ruled by his son Archelaus.
 
No wonder the Jews, who had suffered oppression for so many years, had hoped for a new ruler. But the country seems to have become more unstable. Some scholars view 4 B.C. as the time when notable events occurred in the course of the catastrophe that led Israel to its final destruction in the year 70 AD.
 
The demands of the suppressed crowd led to the young king's ascension to power at the age of 19. People wanted to punish those who were favored by Herod and restore the legitimacy of the high priesthood. They also wanted to reduce taxes.  
 
As Passover approached, when even the locals gathered in Jerusalem, Archelaus becomes concerned about an accidental riot. However, the 'active' intervention of the army, which was tasked with controlling the crowd as the king ordered, led to the tragedy of mass murder.  
 
The Jewish historian Flavius Josephus described the situation thus: "However, under the influence of the teachers of the law, those who became agitators excited the people by creating a disturbance as they had planned. So they rushed at the soldiers and threw stones at them. Wounded soldiers fled, including the commander. But soon the people fell victim to the hands of the army. In the end, Archelaus thought that to stabilize the regime, he had no choice but to get rid of those who attempted the riot. So he sent his whole army against them. He sent horsemen outside the temple to prevent those in tents from helping those inside the temple and even killed those who thought they had escaped danger by fleeing from the foot soldiers. The cavalrymen killed 3,000. The rest went up into the nearby mountains."
 
The time surrounding the birth of Jesus and his life on this earth gives us some idea of the problems his movement of love even of enemies, the first such statement to be put so bluntly in history, had from the very beginning and continues even after two thousand years to be unwelcomed.
 
We celebrated Christmas Day. In a world where war and violence are endless, we eagerly await the fruits of a life lived according to the principles of the Prince of Peace in a land divided by fear and hatred for each other.