At the memorial service for the father of a member of Seoul Lutheran Church a dozen men represented the congregation to extend sympathy. The funeral was held in the basement of a hospital. On one wall of the room a portrait of the deceased was flanked by large wreaths of traditional Korean funeral flowers, white and yellow chrysanthemums and lilies. Along another wall stood mourners dressed in dark suits. Their black armbands identified them as sons. The twelve congregation members lined up in four rows, facing the sons. Suddenly, in the customary Korean sign of respect and sympathy, they dropped to their knees and bowed forward, pressing their foreheads onto the floor, their hands one on top of the other as a cushion. Then the sons responded by doing the same.
Likely remnants of Confucianism’s influence, such signs of humility are common in Korean culture. Bowing with forehead placed onto hands pressed flat on the floor (left hand on top) at the funeral represented a respectful farewell. Young people assume that posture when they bow before their elders at New Year (right hand on top), wishing a favorable welcome to the days ahead.
Self-centered as we are, being publicly humble does not come naturally to us. Paul encourages us: Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. The motivation for Christian humility? Our Savior and the redemption he won with his sinless life on our behalf and his innocent death in our place. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus (Philippians 2).
(ELS mission work in South Korea is conducted by the Asia Committee of the Board for World Outreach.)
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Steve Petersen