Memorial of Saints Andrew Kim Taegon, priest, and Paul Chong Ha-sang, and compansions, martyrs
(I Timothy 3:14-16; Luke 7:31-35)
The saints we celebrate today are not known widely outside
Korea. However, they are celebrated there
as heroes, among Catholics at least.
When the next World Youth Day takes place in Korea, many more people
will learn of the glory of St. Andrew Kim Taegon, St. Paul Chong Hasang, and
their companion martyrs.
Andrew Kim was the first Korean native to be ordained a
priest. He was executed at 25 after he
was caught arranging the entry of other priests into his homeland. Paul Chong was a married lay apostle. Pope St. John Paul II canonized the two and
ninety-eight other Korean martyrs in his apostolic mission to the country. Since their martyrdoms, the Church in Korea
has grown to eleven percent of the entire population.
In today’s gospel Jesus experiences rejection for being
himself -- a teacher who enjoys food and drink.
As in Korea, his eventual martyrdom will bring many people to believe in
him.
