Pope Francis has made it abundantly clear over the years that he is no fan of “sourpuss” Catholics, whom he calls “querulous and disillusioned pessimists” (“Joy of the Gospel,” 85). On this subject, he echoes Jesus’ own condemnation of sourpuss religious leaders who make a big show of their fasting and religious piety. “Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward” (Mt 6:16), was Jesus’ curt commentary.
Recently, the diary of a young North Korean soldier killed in Ukraine came to light. What attracted most commentary was the revelation that he and his unfortunate colleagues were being used, essentially, as bait for the deadly drones that hover over the battlefields of that beleaguered country. What I found even more desperately sad, however, was a more personal truth that was laid bare in the pages of that diary.