In 2015, Bishop Timothy Yu celebrated the priesthood ordination Mass of 10 Jesuits. Six years later, on 30 June, in Myeongdong Cathedral in Seoul, Bishop Yu ordained only one Jesuit to the priesthood, Fr Park Min-woong Joseph SJ.
In his homily, Bishop Yu reminded the congregation of a passage from the Gospel of John written in Fr Park’s ordination card: “Feed my lambs” (Jn 21:15). He said that the command to “feed my lambs” demonstrates the essence of the dialectical love of Jesus. When we realise that Jesus deeply loves us, we are able to find love in our hearts for others. And when we love others deeply, we can imitate Jesus’ love. In this dialectical structure of our love and Jesus’ love, the “lamb” plays a crucial role in transforming Jesus’ love for us into our own love for others.
Looking at Fr Park’s ordination card and inspired by its illustration, Bishop Yu said that the representation betrays our typical image of the lamb cared for by the pastor. Interestingly, the lamb in the image seems to be consoling the pastor. We often say that the pastor takes care of the lamb, but in reality, the pastor receives great consolation from the lamb and is a source of energy for his caring mission. In this sense, the lamb teaches people how to love like Jesus in the Church. Bishop Yu acknowledged that it is a challenge to live out this biblical teaching, underlining that caring for others is easily found in words, but rarely in deeds. He encouraged Fr Park to show what it means to feed Jesus’ lambs through his life and actions.
Under the rules and regulations of Covid-19, only a small number of guests were able to attend the Mass, which was broadcast live on YouTube by Catholic Times. Fr Kim Yong-su Pascal SJ, Provincial of the Korean Province, showed his gratitude to all benefactors, the staff of Myeongdong Cathedral, the Korean Province, and above all the family of Fr Park. He reminded the congregation that although only one Jesuit was ordained to the priesthood that day, it was also only one Jesuit, Francis Xavier, who had come to East Asia for the mission of evangelization. Fr Park’s ordination was a reminder that numbers do not matter the most in God’s mission. What is paramount is to follow the poor and humble Jesus by entering into the life of the poor.