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On the day before celebrating the 25th anniversary Mass, a senior sister from the Gwangsan Kim clan that I come from gave me a photo of Cardinal Sou-hwan Kim smiling gently, saying that he is also from the Gwangsan Kim clan.
His words are written on the photo: "The truly wealthy are not the rich. He is a person who knows how to give himself abundantly and generously. The one whose heart is full of love, and thus the one who is generous, tolerant and compassionate toward others … That person is truly wealthy."
In commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the birth of Cardinal Stephen Sou-hwan Kim (1922-2009), "The Saint Who Came by Our Side" was recently published with the subtitle, "The story of Cardinal Sou-hwan Kim who gives people happiness".
As a collection of 19 essays in three chapters ("The love I miss even in my dreams," "The saint who came to our side," "The journey from head to heart"), written by 19 acquaintances, the book depicts a portrait of the cardinal smiling brightly and simply. Each article reveals that the cardinal was a humble and compassionate leader, genuinely being together with the poor and marginalized.
Born in Daegu, as the youngest of five sons and three daughters, Cardinal Kim wanted to get married to have a family, but he walked the path of a priest with a longing for God that grew deep in his heart.
The nine virtues that the cardinal had in his mind continuously are truly impressive:
1. Words: If you talk a lot, unnecessary words come out. Listen a lot with both ears, and open your mouth after thinking three times.
2. Books (reading): Spend one percent of your income on books. Clothes become unwearable when they are worn out, but books hold great value over time.
3. Street vendors: When buying things from street vendors, don't cut the price down. If you buy, as they say, you can give them hope and health.
4. Laughter: Make laughing a habit. Laughter is a preventative medicine and a cure for all diseases. It rejuvenates the old.
5. Television ("idiot box"): Don't spend much time watching television. When you're drunk, you lose your mind, and when you're on drugs, you become a paralyzed idiot.
6. Getting angry (anger): An angry person always loses. An angry person kills himself and others, and no one comes near him. So he is always lonely.
7. Prayer: Prayer is a ray of light that melts even rusty metal and removes the darkness of the millennium's dark cave. A person who prays with both hands together is stronger than a tight fist.
8. Neighbors: Never turn your back on neighbors. They are a big mirror that reflects yourself.
9. Love (charity): Love done with the head and the mouth has no fragrance. True love is preceded by understanding, generosity, tolerance, assimilation and humility.
The Cardinal once said that it took 70 years for love to come down from head to heart. All of his sayings are based on love. "Thank you. Love one another!" were his last words.
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.
