Last Sunday, I attended the funeral (葬禮) Mass (Missa) of my brother-in-law. The young priest (神父) who celebrated the Mass mentioned that he had a close relationship with the deceased and that there were difficulties regarding faith issues between the deceased and his children.
I was surprised to see him talking about a very private family (家族) matter at a public gathering.
I presume that the priest in charge thought it was permissible to disclose the matter and that it could also have a moral lesson, so he introduced it during the public funeral Mass.
Between parents (父母) and children (子息), the closest and most loving relationship, especially between fathers and sons, tends to have communication that is not smooth, regardless of faith, in any family (家政).
However, there are occasions when conflicts arise due to faith between the children of pastoral (牧會) staff and the parents of so-called devout Catholics or Christians. Why is that?
Perhaps, the fact that all the Catholic and Christian churches in Korea have been focusing on church life and faith based on the visible temple (聖殿), namely the building, the liturgy (典禮), and service, is one of the biggest factors in the conflict.
In the Old Testament (舊約), Jehovah God said that obedience (順從) is better than burnt offerings (燔祭). (1 Samuel 15:22)
1 Samuel 15
22. But Samuel said, "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. (NIV)
This means that a life of obedience (順從) to God's word is more important than the sacrifice (祭祀) or religious (宗敎) ritual (儀式) itself.
However, most parents' generation tend to focus on the building of the temple, namely liturgy, or custom, rather than focusing on the word of the Bible, understanding its meaning, and practicing it.
So, they have neglected to teach the words of life and light to their children and to experience or demonstrate meeting the Lord through their own lives. And the fact that they almost forced their children to attend Mass or worship services in the church or the temple can be a facet (斷面) of a so-called devout religious family.
Looking at the New Testament (新約) (John 2:19-22), Jesus said that he would destroy this temple (聖殿) and rebuild a new temple in three days.
John 2
19. Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days." (NIV)
21. But the temple he had spoken of was his body.
22. After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken. (NIV)
Jesus, by resurrecting after dying on the cross, proclaimed that he himself became the true temple (聖殿) where God and man meet.
The true temple is the temple built on the truth of light and life that Jesus spoke, and this temple should be built in the heart of anyone who follows Jesus.
Jesus said to his disciples that after his death, he would send the Holy Spirit (聖靈), the Spirit (靈) of truth (眞理). God is in the words of the Bible (聖經), but at the same time, He also exists as a spirit (靈) that cannot be seen by human eyes.
It is when this Holy Spirit (聖靈) is within us that a person can be born again and restore holiness, which is the attribute of God, that is, being different from the values of this world.
Then, one can truly enjoy a life, and even if difficult trials (苦難) come, one can overcome (克服) them and have hope (所望) for the future (未來). This can mean a life that transcends the dimensions of life, old age, sickness, and death (生老病死) and leaves no emptiness (虛無).
There is a saying, 'Old habits die hard'. It means that habits or behaviors ingrained in childhood are difficult to change until old age. This means that no matter how hard you practice your faith in action, bad things like the character or greed you inherited from your parents are difficult to change no matter how hard you try.
In the end, rather than external (外形) religious life (信仰生活), after acquiring knowledge (知識) of God through God's Word internally (內的) and reaching the level of understanding His heart, it is when God or the Lord's Holy Spirit (聖靈) begins to take root in a person's heart that He can change and regenerate that person.
When parents nurture and care for their children in the home and show this aspect of faith, the children will also follow their parents, and this faith (信仰) will become a true legacy (遺産) for their descendants.
October 15, 2025 Chamgil
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