Memorial of Saint Andrew Kim Taegŏn, priest and martyr, and Saint Paul Chŏng Hasang, martyr, and their companions, martyrs
For the last few weeks we have been following first readings from Paul’s letter to the Corinthians. Today, however, we begin to have passages from the Book of Proverbs in the Old Testament. These little sayings contained in today’s selection have great meaning in terms of how to live a godly, or holy, life. Notice that the directives contained in this passage are all phrased in terms of the negative, and all have to do with relationships with others—that is, they are instructions about what NOT to do to others. But as negatives, they also imply affirmatives. In not refusing a neighbor, one ought to be generous. In not plotting evil and arguing, one ought to live in peace. We can see how developing habits of NOT doing things could build virtue, in a positive sense.
But the first reading makes sense especially in light of the gospel passage, and we might say the meaning is even transformed. In this passage from Luke, Jesus tells the crowds that no one hides a lamp under an object that will conceal its light. In the days of no electricity, this would immediately make sense. After all, the point of a light is to illuminate, to make it possible to see. In a sense, Jesus is the light. It is through him that all things are illumined, that all things can be seen. Everything is properly understood with respect to the light of Christ.
When we look again at the passage from Proverbs then, we can see this practical advice in a new light. We are inspired to live this godly or holy life because of Christ, because we want to share the light that he brings to the world. Jesus is the light, and we are bearers of this light. One of the ways that we best manifest Jesus’ love is in our interactions with others. As Christians, we are especially challenged to live in peace with our neighbors, to live generously, and so on. In doing this, we witness to Christ as the light in our lives and in the world.
Today we celebrate the feast of the Korean martyrs; though only two are named here – St. Andrew Kim Taegon and St. Paul Chong Hasang – there were 103 Korean Catholic Christians who were persecuted and killed for their faith in the 19th century. In a country where practicing Christianity was deemed illegal by the government, these brave souls chose, nonetheless, not to hide the light of Christ. They might have hid their faith under a basket, and, indeed, if we were to face similar persecutions we would probably be tempted to hide our faith. But instead, the Andrew Kim Taegon, Paul Chong Hasang, and their companions did not deny their belief in Jesus, but instead brought attention to it by standing firm in the truth, bearing witness to Jesus by willingly offering their lives. In so doing, they actually cemented the Catholic faith in Korea; their sacrifice demonstrated the value and meaning of the Church and inspired other Koreans to believe in Jesus.
We do not often face blatant persecution for being Christians, but nonetheless, living as a committed Catholic in our society takes stamina. It is easy to hide the light of the gospel message, keeping it within ourselves as something private that we don’t let others see. But, like the Korean martyrs, we are called to integrate that faith into our daily lives, so that each action, each thought, each word bears witness to Christ in our lives. Today, let us pray that we can better share Christ’s light by living in a way that is evidence of Jesus’ own life and light. Korean martyrs, pray for us!
- Maria Morrow