2 Timothy 1:1-14/ Psalm 137/ Luke 17:5-10

Let Us Be Fed So We Can Work

Hungry for Something

We all know what it’s like to be desperately hungry and weak, or desperately thirsty. But We don’t only get hungry or thirsty for food and drink. We sometimes also hunger and thirst for something else.

You might find it difficult to believe, but I haven’t always enjoyed classical music. During the two years I lived in Kenya, with the extreme stress from the culture shock, I found myself suddenly craving for classical music. I was used to going to concerts and museums, and not having access to these cultural contents, I felt like my soul had dried out. I am NOT saying Kenyans are without culture; just not the things I am used to. Anyway, I asked my brother for help and he sent me some CDs.

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Jeremiah 18:1-11/ Psalm 139:1:1-6, 13-18/ Luke 14:25-33

We Are God’s Clay

Empty Your Mind

Buddhism has been in Korea for over 1000 years. Considering that Christianity has only been in Korea for 200 years, you can easily guess the impact of Buddhism in the Korean culture. That is how even non-Buddhists learn something about Buddhism. What I have learned about the Korean Buddhism, which is a bit different from, for example, the Tibetan Buddhism, is summarized in the key word of its doctrine, “nothingness.” Korean Buddhism teaches that we have to empty our minds.

A famous Buddhist monk who lived 1000 years ago was once travelling, when it became dark and he had to find a shelter for the night. He found a dark cave. When he became extremely thirsty, in the dark, he found a bowl of water and drank it, thinking that it was the sweetest water he had tasted. In the morning, he discovered that this “sweet water” was, in fact, a skull with rotten water in it. This experience gave him the revelation that everything is in our head. Buddhism teaches that the source of the human suffering is obsession. For example, we want more than we can get, so, we suffer. We should train to be like flexible water.

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Jeremiah 1:4-10/ Psalm 71:1-6/ Luke 13:10-17

Compassion and Humility

Purpose of Law

These days, since I have been watching a show about a lawyer, I get to reflect on law more than usual. The thing about the law is that, although it is invented for the benefit of the people who live with each other as a society, it does not always do good to the people it is designed to serve.

Not all laws are good; some laws are evil because they allow bigotry and discrimination. There was a time when black Americans were legally not allowed the same rights as white Americans. Interracial marriage was illegal too. Gay and trans people could legally get fired from work or evicted from their landlords. In my home country, we have been fighting for 17 years to pass the anti-discrimination law. Spoiler alert: it hasn’t been passed yet.

Of course, the fact that some laws are evil is not a good enough reason to become lawless. However, we should work towards making sure our law serves people better, because the law should protect people instead of sacrificing people for the sake of the law.

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Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16/ Isaiah 1:1, 10-20/ Luke 12:32-40

Where Faith Leads Us

Doctor Who

Today, we will reflect on faith. When I started meditating on today’s scriptures, the first thing that popped into my mind was my favorite TV show of all time, Doctor Who. In that show, the Doctor always travels with one or more companions. They all develop deep affection and trust for the Doctor. The Doctor often calls them “my best friends.”

In one episode, the Doctor leaves his companion Clara alone in the enemy’s lair. She feels betrayed. She is scared. The enemy asks her, “Where is the other one?” She pretends to be brave and starts bluffing. The enemy is ready to torture her for information. In this state of terror, Clara says, “I don’t know where he is. But I know where he will be, where he will always be. If the Doctor is still the Doctor, he will have my back.” And she extends her hand backwards hoping that the Doctor will suddenly show up and hold it. As she waits in silence and utters, “Go on, please, please. God, say I’m right,” he does appear and holds her hand. It turns out, he was disguising himself to come incognito. For me, Clara’s attitude in this scene shows us what faith is about. Even in mortal danger, she mustered up courage through her faith and trust.

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Colossians 2:6-19/ Psalm 85/ Luke 11:1-13

Being One With Christ

Being Born Again

When you hear the words “born again,” What comes into your mind? I immediately think of conservative Christians. They are also known as evangelical Christians, but I refuse to call them evangelical because there is nothing evangelical about what they believe in and how they live.

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