Cheerful giver 기쁘게 주는 이

 The other day, a priest whom I know asked me, “How does your congregation make a living?” I mentioned several ways to overcome financial problems. Among them is receiving donations and offerings.

 As fewer vocations enter the congregation, the number of religious sisters is decreasing more and more these days. As a result, the convent has more empty rooms. In European countries, many monasteries and convents have turned into museums, shops, or hotels.

 How can the religious sisters pay all the expenses of living in society? Truly, for religious sisters, each day is a marvelous miracle and a gift from God. Our livelihood is sustained by many offerings and donations provided by generous donors, benefactors, and cooperators with goodwill.

 When I dined in the main congregation of the Daughters of Saint Paul in Boston, I noticed that each meal is well made. Especially, serving various vegetables and fruits, among others, drew my attention. I really enjoyed a healthy diet. And I heard that most of the food ingredients are donated by big markets.

 The culture of donations, tips, and paying taxes honestly is deeply rooted in the American mind. The United States is truly a generous, abundant, and prosperous country.

 There is the children’s picture book called “The Giving Tree” by Shel Silverstein, which was first published in 1964. Being a steady seller up to now, “The Giving Tree” still attracts lots of readers all over the world.

 “Once there was a tree… and she loved a little boy. And every day the boy would come and he would gather her leaves and make them into crowns and play king of the forest. He would climb up her trunk and swing from her branches and eat apples. … And the boy loved the tree very much. And the tree was happy. But time went by. And the boy grew older. And the tree was often alone.”

 … “I am too big to climb and play. I want to buy things and have fun. I want some money. Can you give me some money?” … “Take my apples, Boy, and sell them in the city. Then you will have money and you will be happy.”

 “I want a house to keep me warm. I want a wife and I want children, and so I need a house. Can you give me a house?” … “You may cut off my branches and build a house. Then you will be happy.” 

 “I want a boat that will take me far away from here. Can you give me a boat?” “Cut down my trunk and make a boat. Then you can sail away… and be happy.”

 “Now I just need a quiet place to sit and rest. I am very tired.” “Well, well, an old stump is good for sitting and resting. Come, Boy, sit down. Sit down and rest.” …

 “God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7). Truly, God loves a willing giver. Cheerful givers are always blessed and rewarded. The more we give, the more blessings and rewards are bestowed upon us.

 “Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.” (Luke 6:38).

 https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/opinion/2023/01/137_343876.html

The Korea Times/ Thoughts of the Times/ Jan. 24 (offline), 25 (online), 2023

 

Does the American Dream still exist? '어메리칸 드림'은 여전히 유효한가?

  As I go to the United States, I ask myself: “Does the American Dream still exist?”

 Just before entering the religious congregation, I had a dream to continue my studies in the United States. But I abandoned my plan to belong to the congregation of the Daughters of Saint Paul.

 After 30 years of living in the congregation, I am being sent to the United States as a missionary. I am now going there not to study but to witness the Good News of Jesus. Looking back, I realize that God never forgets each seed of our dreams…

 In 1607, people from England began to go abroad. George Washington proclaimed independence from Britain in 1776. The United States consisted of 31 States in 1848. At present, there are 50 States.

 Throughout its long journey, the United States has achieved remarkable economic growth, individual wealth, and a spirit of independence through diligent and hard work, perseverance, and challenges.

 Now the American Dream is moving in another dimension of well-being such as sustainable development, quality of life, interdependence, and leisure activities.

 Lots of people still keep moving to the United States despite the climate crisis and various natural disasters. The American Dream has become the national ethos of the United States.

 The American Dream is rooted in the Declaration of Independence, which proclaims that “all men are created equal with the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” Such lofty ideals as democracy, human rights, liberty, opportunity, freedom, and equality created and built up the idea of the American Dream, and this inspiring identity has given multicultural people the opportunity for prosperity and success.

 James Truslow Adams coined the term, “American Dream,” in 1931. He said that “life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement” regardless of one's social class or circumstances of birth.

 During the mid-to-late 19^th and early 20^th century in the United States, the Statue of Liberty was the inspiring sculpture of the country that many immigrants first saw when they arrived. It signified new opportunities in life and thus the Statue of Liberty has become an iconic symbol of the American Dream.

 People went to the United States in search of success and happiness. Pursuing the American Dream, lots of people in the world went to cultivate a better future. Many people still flood to better countries. Fleeing hardships, the borders of European countries are overcrowded with migrants as well.

 Naturally, hard work and perseverance have become core beliefs. Truly, the American people established economic development, individual wealth, and an independent life with the help of the challenging frontier life, the dream of the Puritans, and upward mobility.

 Benjamin Franklin, “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” (Mark Twain), “The Great Gatsby” (F. Scot Fitzgerald), and “Death of a Salesman” (Arthur Miller) reveal the spirit of those times.

 Besides the marvelous developments, another challenging task would be to realize sustainable development, quality of life, and mutual interdependence.

 It is said that 1.4 million startups were founded in 2020. It is very much the same until now. “The Lord bless you and keep you! The Lord let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! The Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace!” (Numbers 6:24-26).

https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/opinion/2023/01/162_343487.html

The Korea Times/ Thoughts of the Times/ Jan. 15 (online),16 (offline), 2023

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI 베네딕토 16세 명예 교황

 

"Gather, gather yourselves together, O nation without shame! Before you are driven away, like chaff that disappears; Before there comes upon you the blazing anger of the Lord; Before there comes upon you the day of the Lord's anger. Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, who have observed his law; Seek justice, seek humility; Perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the Lord's anger." (Zephaniah 2:1-3)

In the midst of my annual retreat, especially reflecting on the theme of humility in the Bible, I joined in the community's thanksgiving prayer starting at 8 p.m. on the last day of December 2022.

In the middle of the prayer, the breaking news was announced: Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI (Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger) passed away at 9:34 a.m. on Dec. 31, 2022.

It seemed that the flowing piano rhythm of Mozart was reaching to the heavens above, thanks to him who enjoyed playing the piano. He had a preference for Mozart and Bach.

His nearby acquaintances witnessed that he never lost his temper and he always maintained composure and calmness regardless of the situation.

Benedict XVI was born the youngest on April 16, 1927, in Bavaria, Germany. Ordained as a priest in 1951, together with his elder brother, he began his academic career and became a highly regarded theologian. He was appointed a full professor in 1958 at the age of 31.

He was appointed a cardinal by Pope Paul VI in 1977, and then he was appointed Prefect of the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith in 1981. He also became Dean of the College of Cardinals in 2002. He was one of the closest confidants of John Paul II.

He was originally a liberal theologian but adopted conservative views. Thus, he emphasized returning to fundamental Christian values against increased secularization. Being a member of several social science academies, he was known as "the main intellectual force in the Catholic Church."

In addition to his native German language, he had some level of proficiency in French, Italian, English, and Spanish. He also knew Portuguese, Latin, Biblical Hebrew, and Biblical Greek.

He was elected pope in 2005 but he announced his resignation in February 2013 because of his "lack of strength of mind and body" coming from his advanced age. His resignation was the first such decision made by a pope since Gregory XII in 1415.

Before his election as pope, he wanted to retire to have free time to write, but he had to continue his post in obedience to Pope John Paul II.

In September 1991, he suffered a hemorrhagic stroke, which slightly impaired his eyesight temporarily. A stroke caused by an age-related heart condition happens naturally to elderly people. He already had a pacemaker when he was still a cardinal.

He knew well both his capabilities as the pope and his human condition. He accepted the reality as it is in composure and finally chose resignation. Such is an act of humility.

In his well-known bestseller, "Jesus of Nazareth," he invites us to have a living relationship with Jesus Christ. "We are all called to open ourselves to the friendship with God... speaking to Him as to a friend, the only One who can make the world both good and happy..."

 https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2023/01/162_342850.html

The Korea Times/ Thoughts of the Times/ January 4 (online), 5 (offline), 2023