Archbishop Peter Chung Soon-Taick of Seoul reminded the faithful of the connection between our mortal existence and the eternal amidst the celebrations of Christ’s passion, death, and resurrection.
In his Easter message, the prelate reflected on the changing perceptions of life expectancy in South Korea, where the lifespan now reaches the mid-eighties.
“If our earthly existence concludes after 80-90 years, what significance does it have in the vast tapestry of history?” said Archbishop Chung in a Vatican News report.
Archbishop Chung countered the notion, critiqued by Karl Marx, that faith is an opiate to numb existence. Instead, he presented faith in the resurrection of Jesus as “not like opium that helps us escape from this world… but implies a recognition that our lives in this realm are intertwined with the Eternal.”
This belief, according to the Archbishop, brings a commitment to embrace life, acknowledging the strength that transforms our trials into new beginnings.
The Archbishop also touched on the division on the Korean Peninsula, suggesting that the hope of the resurrection could inspire a future of unity and prosperity.
“Faith in the resurrection of Jesus offers a glimmer of hope that the division on the Korean Peninsula may ultimately resolve into a future of unified existence,” he said.
He highlighted the importance of dialogue and its potential to overcome conflicts and foster empathy, calling on leaders to “guide the trajectory of their nations towards development and well-being.”
As the nation approaches parliamentary elections on April 10, Archbishop Chung urged the citizens of South Korea to “exercise judicious discernment in the electoral process, electing leaders dedicated to serving the interests of the people.”
He reiterated the role of the resurrection of Jesus as “a beacon of hope, anchoring our faith in the potential for redemption and renewal.”
