우리 겨레의 3대 명절은 설, 단오, 한가위를 꼽습니다. 그 중에서도 ‘한가위’는 가장 큰 명절로 일찌기 “더도 말고 덜도 말고 한가위만 같아라!”라는 말이 있습니다. 한가위 라는 말은 ‘크다’는 뜻의 ‘한’과 ‘가운데’라는 뜻의 ‘가위’라는 말이 합쳐진 것으로 8월 한가운데에 있는 큰 날이라는 뜻입니다.

한가위에는 보름달을 보고 계수나무 아래서 토끼가 방아를 찧고 있는 풍성한 상상을 합니다. 한가위 전에는 조상의 무덤에 가서 여름동안 무성하게 자란 잡초를 베어 주는 벌초를 하는 것이 자손의 효성의 표시와 도리로 여겼고, 추석 이른 아침에는 종가에 모여 차례를 지내고 성묘를 가는 것이 풍속입니다. ‘설에는 옷을 얻어 입고 한가위에는 먹을 것을 얻어먹는다’라는 속담에서 알 수 있듯이 한가위는 곡식과 과일 등이 풍성한 때입니다. 특별히 온 식구가 둘러앉아 정담을 나누며 송편을 빚는 정경은 아름다운 풍속 가운데 하나입니다.

한가위는 우리 겨레만의 풍속이 아닙니다. 인류가 곡식을 기르고 정착하면서 신이 내리는 햇살과 비, 바람에 감사하는 마음이 절로 자라났습니다. 곡식을 심고 밭을 가꾸는 것은 사람이지만 그것을 기르고 열매맺게 하는 것은 하느님이심을 인류의 조상들은 알고 있었습니다. 그래서 한가위를 서양에서는 ‘추수감사절’ 혹은 ‘Thanksgiving’이라고 부릅니다. Thanksgiving 이라는 말에는 창조주에게 드리는 감사와 찬미가 어우러져 있습니다. 화답송에서처럼, 온갖 열매 땅에서 거두었으니, 하느님, 우리 하느님이 복을 내리셨기 때문입니다. 이 때문에 한가위에 우리는 한껏 배불리 먹고, 우리에게 놀라운 일을 한 주 우리 하느님의 이름을 찬양합니다.

축제와 감사, 찬양의 시기인 한가위는 넉넉함이 넘쳐나는 시기여야 함에도 그렇지 못한 사람들도 많이 있습니다. 북한에 고향과 부모, 형제를 두고 떠난 실향민, 돈을 벌기 위해 조국을 떠난 외국인 노동자, 자식없이 홀로 사는 독거노인, 부모와 형제가 없는 고아들, 수해와 산사태로 삶의 터전을 잃은 사람들, 우리 사회에서 주위를 돌아보면 우리가 당연하게 생각하는 것들이 없는 사람들이 많습니다. 우리는 그들을 위해서 기도해야 합니다.

그리고, 추석명절에 만날 가족과 형제/자매가 있다면 감사해야 할 것입니다. 한가위가 스트레스가 쌓이는 날, 시어머니와 며느리가 대립하는 날, 부부 싸움하는 날, 형제들끼 의리 상하는 날이 되어서는 안 될 것입니다. 가족간의 불화와 갈등, 서로를 귀찮은 존재로 여기는 이유를 들여다보면 그 안에는 인정과 사랑보다 물질적 가치가 더 중요한 자리를 잡고 있는 경우가 많습니다. 복음에서처럼 자신을 위해서 재화를 모으고 자신을 위해서 곳간에 재물을 쌓는 사람들에게 인정과 사랑은 별 소득없는 것처럼 보일 것입니다. 하지만 사람은 돈만으로 살지 않습니다. 톨스토이가 쓴 단편소설, “사람은 무엇으로 사는가”에 보면, 사람의 마음속에는 하느님의 자비가 있지만 사람에게 주어지지 않은 것은 인생을 얼마나 살지 모른다는 것이며, 사람은 결국 사랑으로 산다고 가르칩니다. 하느님의 자비로 우리에게 주어진 얼마간의 시간은 사랑하기에도 부족합니다.

오는 추수감사절에는 ‘고맙다’는 말을 두 배는 더하면 좋겠습니다. 시어머니는 며느리에게, 형제들은 서로에게, 남편은 아내에게, 자식은 부모님께 ‘고맙습니다’하는 말을 하기 시작할 때, 우리가 얼마나 부유한지를 깨닫게 될 것입니다. 행복은 은행잔고에서 비롯되지 않고 사람 사이에 주고 받는 따뜻한 마음에서 옵니다. 추수감사절, 더 많은 감사를 통해서 우리에게 놀라운 일을 한 우리 하느님을 찬양할 때, 우리는 하느님 앞에서 부유한 사람이 될 것입니다. 여러분, 더도 말고 덜도 말고 한가위에 진정한 부자되세요!

Do you know what JCU’s mission statement is? As a Jesuit Catholic university, John Carroll inspires individuals to excel in learning, leadership, and service in the region and in the world.

What’s your mission statement that says who you are? If you don’t have one, consider this that Jesus gives to you. “The Kingdom of heaven is at hand. Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.”

Your mission here at John Carroll is to cure the sick by healing the culture of death and taking part in pro-life activities such as March for Life, Relay for Life, and to raise the dead by giving hope to those who do not have a chance to learn such as teaching the inner city children, and to cleanse the lepers by befriending those who suffer from social, economical discrimination such as Labre going out to feed and get to know the homeless in Cleveland, and to drive out demons by being men and women for others who live Jesus’ mission.

It is all about saving lives. It is the Good News, the Gospel, being God for others. You may wonder who you are called to do this. Think about Joseph in the first reading. Joseph was sold into Egypt by his brothers and yet he came back not reproaching his brothers but saving them. You are Joseph the dreamer who is called to dream about God’s plan for you. Life in the university is all about dreaming. If you dream to do something remarkable, the dream will be come true. If you dream to do well in your study, you will do it. What you dream is what you become. Dream big, not just for yourself but also for others because without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.

There is a little book called “If the world were a village of 100 people.” It says: If 100 people lived in this village, 52 would be women 48 would be men. 61 would be Asians, 13 Africans, 13 from North and South America, 12 Europeans, and the remaining one from the South Pacific. But, consider this as well. Of the 100 people in this village, 20 are undernourished, 1 is dying of starvation, while 15 are overweight. 6 people own almost 60% of wealth, 74 people own 38% and 20 people share the remaining 2%. Of the energy of this village, 20 people consume 80%, and 80 people share the remaining 20%. If you have money in the bank and in your wallet, you are among the richest 8. If you have a car, you are among the richest 7. Among the villagers, 14 cannot read, 2 have computers, only 1 has a college education.

Have you ever thought what makes you be in the top 1%? Why are you so blessed not like 99% of people that you often do not see? I have been fortunate to travel to over 30 countries, including Bolivia, El Salvador, Ecuador, Uganda, Madagascar. I cannot tell how come they suffer so much from the lack of the necessities like water, bread, and simple medicine. I don’t accuse God to make this happen, rather, I treasure Jesus’ command: “Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.” If we share, there would be no starvation as well as no overweight. Next four years your mission is to learn how to give without reservation.

If you dream big and follow the mission, Jesus promises that the laborer deserves his keep. I can tell it will be worthy experiences that John Carroll promises you. Joseph the dreamer, live out your mission to save lives and celebrate with the rest of the world, which is the life with mission and which is worth living.

Do you remember what happened when you were born? Great joy and happiness for the family and friends. You are the crown of your parent’s love. In 1^st reading: “I am made glorious in the sight of the Lord, and my God is now my strength!” In the psalm 139: “Truly you have formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother’s womb. I give you thanks that I am fearfully, wonderfully made; wonderful are your works.” God did very nice job on you.

I would change a little of the Gospel today. When your mother gave birth to you, your relatives and neighbors knew that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward your mother and father, and they rejoiced with them. When the time came, people were going to call you like Xavier, Gonzaga, Marquette, Loyola. But, your mom said, “No. He will be called John.” “No, her name is Carroll.” Again, your father said, “John is his name.” “She will be called Carroll.” Immediately your parents’ mouths were opened, their tongues freed, and they spoke blessing God. Here you are as Johns and Carrolls at John Carroll University! Then fear came upon all your relatives and neighbors, and all these matters were discussed throughout the hill country of Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and New York. All who heard these things took them to heart, saying, “What, then, will this child be?” For surely the hand of the Lord is with her. The child is growing and becoming strong in spirit, and he is at John Carroll University until the day of God’s manifestation to them.

“What, then, will you be?” (Questions) Since you have similar stories like John the Baptist, let’s look at him. First of all, God took great delight in John like you. John knew that love and privilege and didn’t waste it. He consciously chose to live the will of God and disciplined himself in the desert. As Jim Collins says, “Greatness is largely a matter of conscious choice and discipline.” You have to choose what is right and discipline yourself to live it out. Second, you have many desires to be someone remarkable, to do something remarkable. You are full of desires. I love that energy, that restless heart, because, without that desire, you would never get up in the morning. You would never have ventured beyond the front door. You would never have read a book or learned something new. No desire means no life, no growth, no change. Desire is energy, the energy of creativity, the energy of life itself. So let’s not be too hard on desire. Look at it and understand it.

About twenty years ago, I sat in your chair. My mind was wandering to quest what I was going to do, how, and what I would be. The campus was gorgeous like the ladies; my dreams were audacious like the king’s. What I missed, however, was one simple truth. As Woody Allen said, “Ninety percent of life is just showing up.” Show up for the classes, meetings, and events on the campus. You will find your place.

Know who you are. You are the one percent of the world population who can have a college education. My friend Pat in Ecuador said, you have no right to fail. Therefore, be humble like John the Baptist who said, “What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. Behold, one is coming after me; I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of his feet.” The Scripture Sirach says, “My son, conduct your affairs with humility, and you will be loved more than a giver of gifts. Humble yourself the more, the greater you are, and you will find favor with God. For great is the power of God; the humble he is glorified. What is too sublime for you, seek not, into things beyond your strength search not. What is committed to you, attend to; for what is hidden is not your concern” (Sirach 3:17-21). This humility will make you remarkable with your desires and your will. The new era has come. Remember you are fearfully, wonderfully made. God bless you.

Love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love.

There's nothing you can do that can't be done.

Nothing you can sing that can't be sung.

Nothing you can say but you can learn how to play the game

It's easy.

There's nothing you can make that can't be made.

No one you can save that can't be saved.

Nothing you can do but you can learn how to be you

in time - It's easy.

All you need is love, all you need is love…

It is the Beatles’ song—All You Need is Love. It could be a theme song for the feast of today—St. Theresa of the Child Jesus. What St. Theresa treasured most in her life was the love. She talks: “I saw and realized that love sets off the bounds of all vocations, that love is everything, that this same love embraces every time and every place. In one word, that love is everlasting. Then, nearly ecstatic with the supreme joy in my soul, I proclaimed: O Jesus, my love, at last I have found my calling: my call is love. Certainly I have found my proper place in the church, and you gave me that very place, my God. In the heart of the Church, my mother, I will be love, and thus I will be all things, as my desire finds its direction.”

However, we need to be careful not to be confused with the love St. Theresa had and the love people feel and talk in daily. It is not all about romantic feeling or physical intimacy between lovers. There is some overlap and similarity and yet it is a part of what love is. The love St. Theresa talks is similar to Fr. Pedro Arrupe’s words.

“Nothing is more practical than finding God, than falling in love in a quite absolute, final way. What you are in love with, what seizes your imagination, will affect everything. It will decide what will get you out of bed in the morning, what you will do with your evening, how you spend your weekends, what you read, whom you know, what breaks your heart, and what amazes you with joy and gratitude. Fall in love, stay in love, and it will decide everything.”

The love that decides everything comes from God. St. Paul is convinced to say, “God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather (a spirit) of power, of love and of self-control. So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord, nor of me, a prisoner for his sake; but bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God” (2 Tim. 1:7-8).

You have launched a journey through this college life. God your strength will guide you to fall in the love that will decide everything. Let’s walk with a spirit of power, of love and of self-control.