September 20 2024 - St. Andrew Kim - Christian in word and deed

 Saint Andrew Kim was the first native-born Korean priest, and he was beheaded for the faith. He, and St. Paul Chong Hasang with their 111 companions were martyred over the course of many years, but were canonized together by Saint John Paul II in 1984. 

The first Christian missionary arrived in Korea in the late 1500s, but for centuries, Catholicism was seen as a threat to Korean customs and traditions. The Korean government opposed the spread of Christianity, and in 1801, 200 Catholics were martyred by the government. 

St. Andrew Kim was from a Korean family who suffered under those persecutions. But inspired by the courageous witness of those martyrs, he became devoted to the Gospel. In 1844 he was ordained a deacon, then a year later, he was ordained as Korea’s first native-born Catholic priest. He traveled throughout Korea and visited various Catholic communities, teaching, mostly at night the faith and celebrating the Sacraments. He was arrested for trying to sneak missionaries into the country, he was tortured over the several months, and then finally killed, at the age of 25. 

Andrew wrote to his fellow Christians the following words: “We have received baptism, entrance into the Church, and the honor of being called Christians. Yet what good will this do us if we are Christians in name only and not in fact?”

Andrew Kim understood that being a Christian isn’t simply about identifying with a label or belonging to a community. It is about living a life that reflects the teachings of Christ in everything we do.

He calls us to ask ourselves: Are we truly living out the grace of our baptism? Are we allowing the Gospel to shape our actions, our choices, and our relationships? Being a Christian “in fact” means that our faith is not just something we profess with our lips, but something we embody in our daily lives—especially when it is difficult, unpopular, or even dangerous to do so. 

We may not face the same physical persecution as St. Andrew Kim and his companions, but in a very sense, we owe it to him to take his challenge to heart—striving to be Christians not only in name, but in our witness, our love, and our commitment to living the Gospel fully and courageously for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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For all Christians facing persecution for the faith, that their sufferings may bring about the conversion of hardened souls to Christ.

For the members of St. Andrew Kim parish and the good Korean Catholics of our diocese, that they may continue to be a blessing to our local Church.

For all the needs of the sick and the suffering, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, the underemployed and unemployed, victims of natural disaster, war, and terrorism, for all those who grieve the loss of a loved one, and those who will die today, for their comfort, and the consolation of their families.

For the repose of the souls of our beloved dead, for all of the poor souls in purgatory, for the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, for the deceased priests, deacons and religious of the diocese of Cleveland, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom.

Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord.