Have you ever experienced yourself going down and down with a spiritual sense of humility? Have you ever felt the beauty of "a grain of wheat" disappearing from the earth?
John 12:24 witnesses the mystery of death and resurrection of Jesus: "Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit."
Among the lively spirits of Wonju who sincerely aspire to be "healthy and dynamic," I can feel the heartfelt appreciation of late Catholic Bishop Ji Hak-soon and late life educator, philosopher and activist Jang Il-soon for being "grains of wheat."
Believing that the universe exists even in one grain of millet, Wonju has a universal and broadminded spirit without much prejudice, conflict or territorial strife among its people. Anybody can adjust himself or herself to the surroundings of Wonju. Being surrounded by the mountain streams of Mount Chiak, Wonju cordially embraces people around with a motherly heart.
Like Ji Hak-soon (1921-1993), the first diocesan bishop of Wonju, Jang Il-soon (1928 ―1994) enjoyed talking with ordinary people in the streets. Technically, it takes about 20 minutes to walk on foot from his home in Bongsan-dong to the Catholic Center in Wonil-ro, but it would take him two hours to arrive at the Catholic Center because he used to stop to have conversations with people along the way.
As an educator, philosopher and activist, Jang Il-soon became a legendary and symbolic figure who improved people's lives in Wonju. He is best known as the cornerstone of the Credit Union and Hansalim movements ― the latter developing into one of the nation's largest cooperatives connecting rural farmers directly with urban consumers.
Some of his pen names were "Cheonggang" (clean river) in the 1960s, "Muwidang" (effortless action) in the 1970s, and "Ilsokja" (one grain of millet) in the 1980s.
He developed a philosophy and campaign for life through the Hansalim movement until he died from stomach cancer. He was also a spiritual supporter of poet Kim Ji-ha who represented the democratization movement in the 1970s.
He learned calligraphy as well as to respect life from his grandfather, Jang Kyeong-ho, and his close friend, Park Ki-jung. After graduating from Wonju Elementary School, he was baptized with the Christian name of John at Wondong Catholic Church.
Then, he moved to Seoul to study at Pai Chai Middle and High Schools. He attended Gyeongseong Technical College but he was expelled for opposing the appointment of John R. Hodge to lead the United States Army Military Government in Korea.
The Donghak (Eastern Learning) Movement philosophies of Choi Je-woo (1824-1864) and Choi Shi-hyung (1827-1898) influenced him spiritually in many ways. In 1946, Jang Il-soon entered Seoul National University to study aesthetics but he had to return to Wonju due to the Korean War in 1950.
In 1954, Jang Il-soon established the Dae Sung School in Wonju with the thoughts of Ahn Chang-ho. From 1961 to 1963, he was imprisoned due to his thought and activism on neutrality, peace and unification. While joining a street demonstration for social justice and peace, he concentrated on calligraphy and closely collaborated with Ji Hak-soon.
"Make your life art."
"Go down!"
The author is a member of the Daughters of St. Paul (fsp.pauline.or.kr.) living and giving the Good News to the world by means of social communication.