St Andrew Kim Taegon

The story of St Andrew Kim, and his companions, is a remarkable one at best. 

 

http://catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=20

These are men and women who took the foundation of Baptism and Confirmation most seriously, and displayed it by their lives.  In the early 19th century Korea came under new leadership.  The emperor at the time despised and distrusted Christianity.  He launched a persecution against the Christian churches, and slaughtered thousands of Christians.  St. Andrew Kim, a convert with his family, eventually became a priest and ministered in Korea.  He and several dozen of his parishioners were tortured and put to death.

These are folks that did not fear suffering or death.  Like Jesus and many of his faithful followers death was not seem as a barrier to life.  Rather Andrew Kim, and many like him, welcomed the opportunity to suffer in the Body of Christ.  To take up ones cross as not simply a theory or nicety, but a living witness which demonstrated the deep commitment one had for the message of Christ.  St Andrew Kim shared his faith in celebrating the sacraments and dying for the faith he professed, as well as the people he served.

And today we have folks who choose soccer over church, and are inspired by the media and not the gospel message.  Martyrs remind us that we are challenged to be counter-cultural in our faith life today.  Sadly today many believe religious practice to be more akin to rainbows and unicorns than the Paschal mystery and standing for truth and righteousness.

St. Andrew Kim, and many others, taught the world that it is essential to profess faith by our very response to what we say we believe in.  May the good works begun in us be brought to completion.