“Jesus journeyed from one town and village to another, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom of God.” Saints Andrew Taegon, Paul Chong Hasang, and their companions did likewise. However, in Korea, this was extremely frowned upon. It is why these saints whom we remember today were martyred. They would rather die preaching and proclaiming the Kingdom of God, than abandon God and his mission. What is even more amazing, is what their sacrifice led to. It led to a faith community within Korea, completely led by lay men and women.

For the first decade after the birth of Catholicism in Korea, their faith was sparked because of the sacrifice of the 47 women and 45 men martyred. They had absolutely no priests, which meant no sacraments. How did the Church in Korea survive then? It survived through the blood of Christ poured out through his martyrs. Martyrs, who fulfilled their mission to preach and proclaim the Kingdom of God, allowing a fire to burn within the hearts and souls of the Korean people.

If we think about the sacraments, they only build on the faith that we already have beforehand. Therefore, when the first priests finally came, the faith which the Korean people already had, through the grace of these newly practiced sacraments, led to an even deeper faith. A faith which you and I share with our Korean brothers and sisters. Therefore, let us follow Jesus’ example and that of the martyrs whom we remember today, and not be afraid to preach and proclaim the Kingdom of God.

What is keeping you from preaching and proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom of God?

Lord, make us more courageous and more saintly, in order to transform all those whom we encounter daily. Amen.