Where Am I? 나는 어디에 있는가?

            (written in 2003)

I recently heard a lecture by Dr. Park Moon-soo in which he stated that the number of people in religious vocations has reduced from 1 million to 500,000 while the 3,000 religious orders have been cut down to 900 orders in the modern world. It was enjoyable to hear his fluent speech but Park's lecture also made me consider some serious questions.

The popularity of priesthood and other religious vocations has greatly diminished not only in Europe but in Asian countries as well. Of course, oriental countries are in better situations than those in the west. What has happened to religious life? What is the problem?

 During his lecture, Park pointed out several reasons for this serious situation and I would like to share some of his ideas with you.

 The first crucial reason he gave was that material abundance is leading to secularism, commercialism, liberalism, and materialism. Because of growing wealth, virtues such as poverty, abstinence, and self-control have become less important than before.

 This social trend has led people to see choosing religious vocations as less meaningful and valuable. Even some religious leaders have become wealthier than before because of the benefits of modernity.

 In fact, ordinary people have higher expectations for those who choose another way of life. Even though they remain in a cozy family, they want religious people to live according to biblical values practiced in the early Christian life of apostles. Naturally, some people feel less attracted by the mystery of religious life.

 So, it is time for religious people to emphasize the importance of being rather than doing a lot of work. Here, being means living in the present moment with joy, love, and peace. The real meaning lies in the process being at every moment of our daily lives.

 Weakening a tendency to hurt or attack others is one of the roles that religious people can help within a world filled with competition and revenge. Just being in the present moment, praying from the heart, and trying to bring peace to the whole world is possible through community life in solidarity.

 Then, what should we do to remain to the end? The first thing to keep in mind is expanding our contemplative life. Living in a mood of contemplation is necessary. Deepening prayer or meditation can produce results such as less anger, more collaboration, smiling, sharing, kindness and compassion. Professionalism does not solve the problem at all. Technology needs a human touch. What we need is a harmony of contemplation and activity.

 Second, Park said, we need to be prophetic witnesses. How can we be prophets? By living a biblical life every moment, we can witness the truth. Third, community life with a specific purpose is necessary to renew religion. We have to help and cooperate with one another because we are not alone at all. Community is a basic element of religious life and this type of togetherness will surely build a better world, he said.

 Fourth, inner repentance is required. Always trying to reform our lives will surely help us to become pure by means of self-control, renunciation, dedication, and sacrifice. Fifth, we need to realize the charisma of the congregation as fully as possible. Each of us has a unique color and we need to let it fully bloom. Living as ourselves will bring spiritual abundance and cure our identity crises.

 Besides these points, Park said, making a horizontal authority paradigm, organic relationships, global spirituality, accepting God󰡑s initiative, mutual co-existence beyond race or other differences, and solidarity are regarded as vital forces in changing the current situation. We need to focus every moment if we truly want to grow spiritually.

 Then, we will truly experience faith, the power of prayer, and solidarity throughout the world. Knowledge, material wealth, and professionalism have increased in many ways. Internet, digital, and biotechnology have built a so-called ``technologically intoxicated zone.”

 Nevertheless, we need something more. We need to have something spiritual. Look at the pure smile of a child and a grown-up's helping hands. These simple signs invite us to do the same. Little acts of kindness are beautiful. Only then will our spiritual lives will be more attractive. 

 The Korea Times/ Thoughts of the Times/ March 4, 2003