Running Jeoldusan-Beheading Mountain

Date: Wednesday
March 4, 2009

Time: 1:29:21

Miles: 7.55

The weather was great today and since it is supposed to rain tomorrow, I left Yonhidong for Han river. I need the miles, so I was determined to make this longer than a 10 K. The river trail was filled with bikers, hikers, strollers as Seoulites enjoyed the early Spring. Along the way is one of my favorite meditation spots.

Rising twenty meters above the Hangang River is a rock face where as many as 360 Catholics were martyred. Their throats slit and bodies dumped, they died horribly cruel deaths for nothing more than their beliefs. Some stories have the rocks covered with the red stain of blood for weeks and months following the massacre. Other urban myths declare that one can still find specks of dried red blood among the crevices. Jamdubong, now known as Jeoldusan (Beheading Mountain) Martyrs’ Shrine includes Yongdubong (Dragon Head Peak) and Jamdubong (Silkworm Head Peak). It was once a strategic point in terms of traffic and military importance during the end of the Joseon Dynasty. It is now a strategic point in the story of hope and liberation for the Korean people.

During the Byeonin Persecution of 1866, Christians were seen as a threat to the class system and the political power of the Dynasty. During those dark days, Christians were beginning to lift up to a closed culture the powerful message of the worth of every person. In the spirit of Christ, they fed and clothed the poorest among them. They brought medicine and healing to the sick. They challenged the political structure with voices of equality and justice. Christians were not the only ones raising their voices. But, in this instance, they were the ones most persecuted.

The issues and conditions of poverty in every generation are promoted and preserved by those who have political and financial power. Poverty is the single human condition created and perpetuated by human beings toward one another. In the fight against poverty, sometimes friends of the poor receive the Nobel Peace Prize. At other times, their throats are slit. Most of the time, friends of the poor are just ignored. That is the tragedy in today’s world. Don’t make the poor invisible. Don’t pretend the issues and challenges of poverty are insurmountable. Don’t ignore those who would be friend the poor. I invite you to join me in running to end poverty, one child, one family, one village at a time.