The Light shines in the Darkness

This summer, from August 13th to 19th, we held the 5th Nikkan meeting in Tokyo. It is a cultural and spiritual exchange between Korean and Japanese youth that began in 2018 and has been held annually ever since. The goal is to make friends, learn about the history of the countries and share faith together. This time, 10 Korean and 17 Japanese youth participated, and the motto was “The Light Shines in the Darkness.”

Key moments of “the light in the darkness”

On August 14, the anniversary of the martyrdom of St. Maximilian Maria Kolbe, we met at the Shiomi Church in Tokyo. That day we deepened our faith by getting to know the lives  of Father Kolbe, Franciscan Brother Zenon and Satoko Kitahara, a lay person who was working with the poor during the post-war period in Japan.

The next day, August 15, was “End of War Day” for Japan and “Independence Day” for Korea. Two young people from Hiroshima told us how they value peace as people who grew up in a bombed-out city. And we shared how to build peace in our own time.

On one occasion, the young people were able to experience “homestay,” staying in the homes of Japanese families. We divided ourselves into groups of 2 or 3 people and shared dinner with our chosen family, getting to know their customs and sleeping over. In the morning we got together again to continue our activity.

Looking together in the same direction

Sora Fukuhara, one of the Japanese students who participated in the Nikkan, expressed her experience in this way: “During the Nikkan, we had the opportunity to learn about the massacre of Koreans that took place during the great Tokyo earthquake in 1923. Although we are now friends, we all carry the history of our own countries in our hearts, which makes us adversaries and victims at the same time, facing each other. However, during the meeting a friend from South Korea said: “Historically, we are not on opposite sides but on the same side, looking together in the same direction, towards reconciliation. I would like us to build a good future for Japan and South Korea together, as friends working together for reconciliation.”

During this time we were able to witness, once again, that “The light shines in the darkness.” I pray that each one of us, wherever we are, can continue to sow seeds of reconciliation.

clwakeling2The Light shines in the Darkness

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *