‘Seek humility!’ 겸손함을 찾아라!

Judith in the Old Testament prays most sincerely, falling prostrate and putting ashes upon her head: “Your strength is not in numbers, nor does your might depend upon the powerful. You are God of the lowly, helper of those of little account, supporter of the weak, protector of those in despair, savior of those without hope.” (Judith 9:11). Truly, God saves “humble people” and brings low “haughty eyes” (cf. Psalms 18:28). Together with Sr. Gemma Hong who has led the pastoral care for Korean immigrants in the United States for over 30 years, I drove the van from Saint Louis in Missouri to Dallas in Texas to begin our mission for a month. As a starting point of our mission trip, we led a day retreat on the topic of “humility” from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Fort Worth Korean Martyrs Catholic Church, Texas, on January 29, 2023. About 50 parishioners participated in the retreat, and most of them were consoled, encouraged, and strengthened spiritually. They willingly and joyfully opened their hearts with the help of mini laughing therapy that was provided as icebreaking of the retreat program. The retreat talks were given three times. As an introduction, parishioners had time to look back and ponder on the past three years that they had to confront the unexpected COVID-19 and the climate crisis as well. They tried to think over “how to live from now on.” The second talk gave them the question of the meaning of seeking the Lord in daily life, which was explained in two key points: loving the Lord and neighbors, and constantly giving thanks to the Lord. The third talk was centered on the topic of “humility” presented in the Bible and in the spiritual life. Then, based on “The Rule” (Regula) of Saint Benedict of Nursia (480-547), “Sayings of the Egyptian Fathers” (Sententiae Patrum Aegyptiorum) translated by St. Martin of Braga (510-579), and “The Seven Victories” (De Septem Victorias) written by Diego de Pantoja (1571-1618), a Spanish Jesuit and missionary to China, the importance and value of humility was pointed out. Finally, as an example of being humble with joy and thanks, a short video clip on the life of Blessed Manuel Lozano Garrido (1920-1971), a Spanish journalist and writer, was presented. After lunch, we had time to read and deepen the contexts of “True happiness” (the Beatitudes, Matthew 5:1-12). In the end, some of the participants shared their resolutions voluntarily, and everybody was given a Korean-made lucky pouch that contained seven pieces of the words of God on humility. At 3 p.m., Mass was presided over by Fr. Michael Chang-jun Lee who has an utmost sense of joy, generosity, and hospitality. He celebrated Sunday Mass as an offering celebration of giving thanks, consecration, and making new resolutions. Every moment was truly a gift from God that flowed naturally with the help of the Holy Spirit. And some people said the retreat passed happily and joyfully without noticing the passage of time. The prophet Isaiah says: “Comfort, give comfort to my people!” (Is 40:1). Giving comfort and consolation to Korean immigrants is our mission statement this year. “Comfort,” originally coming from “confortare,” (in Latin) means encouraging, inspiring, empowering, and strengthening one another. “So strengthen your drooping hands and your weak knees. Make straight paths for your feet, that what is lame may not be dislocated but healed.” (Hebrews 12:12-13).

Humility in the Bible 성경에 나타난 겸손

Many prophets appeal to us to seek the Lord. Especially in this time of trials, what does it mean to seek the Lord? Prophet Zephaniah says: "Seek the Lord, all you humble… Seek justice, seek humility." (Zephaniah 2:3). What does it mean to seek the Lord, in our life? Above all, it means to love the Lord and our neighbors. It is to love God with all our heart, with all our mind, with all our soul, and with all our strength. At the same time, it is to love others, with the help of God's love. In other words, it means to do good in every situation; to be righteous and just, to be humble; to help and share with others willingly, and to be merciful and kind to all. Second, seeking the Lord means giving thanks constantly. The first letter of Thessalonians (5:15-18) says: "See that no one returns evil for evil; rather, always seek what is good for each other and for all. Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus." Constant joy, endless prayer, and a thankful heart are the will of God, the standard and measure of the Christian life. Among 10 lepers healed by the grace of God, only one Samaritan came back to give thanks to Jesus. Being grateful allows us to be truly healed and to do our best in every moment. A thankful heart is a stepping stone that leads me to walk on and on, faithfully. It allows me the fullest living, inspires me to see reality in a positive way, and helps me to be enthusiastic and hopeful. It gives me creativity and inspiration and opens my heart wide. Reading the Bible, I discovered that Jesus is the supreme example of humility. He defines himself thus: "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves" (Matthew 11:29). Jesus even "poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and dry them with the towel around his waist" (John 13:5). In Philippians 2:7-8, Saint Paul witnesses the humility of Jesus: "Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross." In this way, the humility revealed and witnessed through the life of Jesus has become the will of God, the mission, lifestyle, and code of conduct of all of us who follow the footsteps of Jesus. Besides Jesus, Abraham, Abel, Moses, Solomon, Daniel, Isaiah, John the Baptist, Saint Paul the apostle, Peter, and many others are good examples of humility. The Beatitudes and love are signs of humility. Thus, we can substitute humility in the first letter of Corinthians 13:4-7 for love: "Love (Humility) is patient, love (humility) is kind. Love (Humility) is not jealous, it (humility) is not pompous, it (humility) is not inflated, it (humility) is not rude, does not seek its own interests, it (humility) is not quick-tempered, it (humility) does not brood over injury, it (humility) does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. Love (Humility) bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2023/02/162_344440.html The Korea Times/ Thoughts of the Times/ Jan. 31 (online), Feb. 1 (offline), 2023 성경에 나타난 겸손 많은 예언자가 주님을 찾으라고 호소한다. 특히 이 시련의 때에 주님을 찾는다는 것은 무엇을 뜻할까? 예언자 스바니야는 “모든 겸손한 이들아, 주님을 찾아라. 의로움을 찾아라. 겸손함을 찾아라.”(스바 2,3) 하고 말한다. 우리 삶에서 주님을 찾는다는 것은 과연 무엇을 뜻할까? 주님을 찾는다는 것은 무엇보다 주님과 이웃을 사랑하라는 뜻이다. 마음을 다하고 정신을 다하고 목숨을 다하고 힘을 다하여 하느님을 사랑하라는 것이다. 또한 하느님의 사랑에 힘입어 다른 이들을 사랑하라는 것이다. 다시 말해, 사람들을 사랑한다는 것은 모든 상황에서 선을 행하는 것을 뜻한다. 곧 모든 사람을 의롭고 정의롭게 대하고, 겸손하게 맞이하고, 기꺼이 돕고 나누며, 자애롭고 친절하게 대하는 것이다. 둘째, 주님을 찾는다는 것은 언제 어디서나 끊임없이 감사하는 것을 뜻한다. 테살로니카 신자들에게 보낸 첫째 서간(5,15-18)은 이렇게 말한다. “아무도 다른 이에게 악을 악으로 갚지 않도록 주의하십시오. 서로에게 좋고 또 모든 사람에게 좋은 것을 늘 추구하십시오. 언제나 기뻐하십시오. 끊임없이 기도하십시오. 모든 일에 감사하십시오. 이것이 그리스도 예수님 안에서 살아가는 여러분에게 바라시는 하느님의 뜻입니다.” 하느님의 은총으로 치유받은 나병 환자 열 사람 가운데 오직 한 사마리아 사람만이 돌아와 예수님께 감사드렸다. 감사하는 마음은 참으로 치유를 받게 하며 순간순간 최선을 다하게 한다. 감사하는 마음은 충실하고 항구하게 걸어가도록 이끄는 디딤돌이다. 감사하는 마음은 충만한 삶을 살게 하고, 긍정적으로 현실을 바라보도록 영감을 주며, 열정과 희망을 지니게 한다. 감사하는 마음은 창의력과 영감을 불어넣어 주며 마음을 활짝 열게 한다. 나는 성경을 읽으면서 예수님이야말로 겸손을 증거한 최고의 귀감이라는 것을 발견했다. “나는 마음이 온유하고 겸손하니 내 멍에를 메고 나에게 배워라. 그러면 너희가 안식을 얻을 것이다.”(마태 11,29) 심지어 예수님은 “대야에 물을 부어 제자들의 발을 씻어 주시고, 허리에 두르신 수건으로 닦기 시작”(요한 13,5)하셨다. 필리피 신자들에게 보낸 서간 2장 7-8절에서 성 바오로는 이처럼 겸손하신 예수님을 다음과 같이 증언한다. “오히려 당신 자신을 비우시어 종의 모습을 취하시고 사람들과 같이 되셨습니다 당신 자신을 낮추시어 죽음에 이르기까지, 십자가 죽음에 이르기까지 순종하셨습니다.” 이처럼 예수님의 삶에 뚜렷이 드러난 겸손은 예수님의 발자취를 따르는 우리 모두에게 주어진 하느님의 뜻이요 사명이며, 삶의 방식이요 행동 규범이 되었다. 예수님 외에도 아브라함, 아벨, 모세, 솔로몬, 다니엘, 이사야, 세례자 요한, 사도 성 바오로, 베드로를 비롯한 많은 인물이 겸손함을 드러내는 훌륭한 귀감이다. 참행복과 사랑은 겸손의 표지다. 따라서 우리는 코린토 신자들에게 보낸 첫째 서간 13장 4-7절에 나오는 ‘사랑’이라는 말을 ‘겸손’으로 대체할 수 있다. “사랑(겸손)은 참고 기다립니다. 사랑(겸손)은 친절합니다. 사랑(겸손)은 시기하지 않고 뽐내지 않으며 교만하지 않습니다. 사랑(겸손)은 무례하지 않고 자기 이익을 추구하지 않으며 성을 내지 않고 앙심을 품지 않습니다. 사랑(겸손)은 불의에 기뻐하지 않고 진실을 두고 함께 기뻐합니다. 사랑(겸손)은 모든 것을 덮어주고 모든 것을 믿으며 모든 것을 바라고 모든 것을 견디어 냅니다.”