Jesus Christ

It is the Sunday as I sit down to reflect the 30^th and the last Christ.

It is the Sunday as I am spending another moment of my time in the United States.

It is the Sunday as I ran with John Ropar and Brittany Thompson in the Cuyahoga National Park for twelve miles starting at 7am.

It is the Sunday, the day we rest, stop going ahead, play with kids, and celebrate life.

It is the Sunday as my lord came and dwelt in me through the Eucharist.

It is the Sunday that reminds of the master of Sundays and all—Jesus Christ.

The Christ in me has been delighted in encountering Christ in others. The Christ in me is longing for other Christ coming out of fear, darkness, bitterness, incapacity, and guilt. The Christ in me recognizes there is a superb way to go deeper in spirituality, that is, being grateful. Grateful heart overcomes hardship, jealous, and boredom. Grateful heart celebrates life without reservation. Grateful heart is a way to get closer to God.

Jesus is my lord, my best friend, my master and my spouse. I breathe, move, and have my being because of Him.

Jesus is the Christ who is, who was, and is to come at the end of the ages.

John Carroll University

When I was featured in the Plain Dealer before the Cleveland Marathon on May 9, 2011, the topic was “John Carroll University priest finds his Cleveland Marathon motivation in the needs of others.” I was really happy to be called “John Carroll University Priest” because it was evidence of what I have become last two years.

As a Minister in Residence, I had privilege to meet students and to work with FSA. Living and greeting anyone on the campus were a blessing. I didn’t know what I could do for others at the beginning. I first wanted to be an excellent preacher, a passionate runner, and an engaging teacher. But I discarded the ambition soon because my friend Fr. Clem taught me what I should be before he died—a humble priest, a faithful servant, and a friend of all. Because of this reason, I was pleased and honored to be called “John Carroll University Priest.”

John Carroll University is an alma mater as well as a spiritual home where I encountered so many Christ and I grew to be a man fully alive for others. It will remain in me forever.

John Carroll University is the twenty-ninth Christ.

The Movie Night Family

I miss my family in Korea—my parents, two brothers and sister-in-laws, and a nephew and two nieces. The youngest niece is just ten-month old and I have not seen her in person.

Loneliness is a part of life in the foreign country and the celibate life of the priest. Looking back, I have been spared by God’s grace and God’s family, especially the movie night family.

The movie night family began about three years ago. They are young Korean couples that have children ranging from five to sixteen years old. We gather one of the family’s houses and share good meals—absolutely authentic Korean food—and watch movies once a month. At the beginning, I chose the movies—Mission, St. Ralph, etc. and later the hosts chose their favorite movies from a Korean drama to a Hong Kong comic to an American suspense. During summer, the family went camping in Punderson State Park and had a campfire together.

I always wait for the movie night not only because of the wonderful food but also of the time to share the familial love. Being with the children and the friends has an evidence that I am loved and I love them. This emotional and spiritual bond helps me to serve God’s people with overflowing mutual affection.

As I leave the movie night family, I think of Jesus’ praying, “I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for the ones you have given me, because they are yours…Holy Father, keep them in you name that you have given me, so that they may be one just as we are. When I was with them I protected them in your name that you gave me, and I guarded them…But now I am coming to you. I speak this in the world so that they may share my joy completely…Consecrate them in the truth. Your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I sent them into the world…I made known to them your name and I will make it known, that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in them” (John 17:9-26).

The movie night family is the twenty-eighth Christ.

The Campus Ministry (CM)

CM is John, Paula, Gail, Chris, Carrie, TK, Kelly, Koli, Paul and me.

CM is the students who work and welcome other students and visitors.

CM is Liturgy, Immersion Experience, Retreat, Service, CLC, and Resident Ministry.

CM is the students who involve, lead, serve, participate and enjoy.

CM is finding God in all things, incarnational, and AMDG.

CM is caring, loving, listening, guiding, challenging, studying, searching, transforming, and being.

CM is you reading this note.

When I first came to John Carroll to study the master’s of nonprofit administration, God had a different plan. Soon I found myself sitting before John Scarano who asked me to be a Minister in Residence. I accepted the offer without much consideration because serving others as a priest was more important than getting a degree.

Now two years later, I am grateful to be a part of the people who share genuine hearts, love others as they are, suffer with others, and go beyond their limits. This is the embodiment of the John Carroll spirit; this is the campus ministry that we love to be a part.

The campus ministry is the twenty-seventh Christ.