The Korean Martyrs

“My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it.” Lk 8:21

Today’s gospel text can turn our heads. Is Jesus disrespecting his mother and family by reminding his listeners that everyone who hears the word of God and acts on it is his family? Surely not, but the gospel makes us stop and reflect. While blood relationships are important and foundational for many Christians, they are not the only source of faith transmission. Sometimes, a leaflet handed out on a street, a bible in a hotel room or an act of kindness from an unexpected source can be the stimulus for someone thinking about God, faith and their own conversion. When we hear the word of God and act on it wonderful things can happen.

When Blessed John Paul II visited Korea in 1984 one of the highlights of his pilgrimage was the canonization of 100 Koreans, all of whom were martyrs. At the canonization, John Paul reminded those attending of a remarkable fact about the Korean church. “The Korean Church is unique because it was founded entirely by lay people,” something which still startles us, especially when we realize that the 4000 Korean Christians discovered by a Chinese priest around 1777 began their journey because of some Christian literature given to them by visiting Chinese soldiers. (1) The 4000 Christians had never met a priest or celebrated the Eucharist. Rather, the almost random act of leaving behind Christian literature was a seed that produced 4000 men and women Christians. Imagine their joy when they were finally baptized and celebrated the Eucharist.

We can proclaim the gospel in an almost infinite variety of ways, but it has to be intentional. Not all of us will be called to preach from a pulpit or on a retreat, but all are challenged to preach with deeds. Feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, visit the sick and imprisoned and clothe the naked. (Mt 25) These simple but essential Christian tasks mark us as believers and proclaimers of good news.