What's in a face?

Perhaps my face has turned pale while gasping for air after dashing up the subway stairs of Kyeongbock station to catch up a bus to my English class with two blind high school students. My kkaki coat was unbottoned and sways to the sides and my eyes were focused on the bus stop. Just few meters away from the bus stop, a male teenage Korean wearing a baseball cap, a sweater and denim pants saw me approaching and he gave me three bows. I didn't mind his head bowing but I realized on the third bow that it was intended for me. I smiled at him and return a bow, but he immediately turned his back and made a sign of a cross, among other Christians, the Roman Catholic way would do.

Was it my face that caused him to give me a bow? I don't know exactly what he was seeing in me. Was he seeing something behind me or accompanying me? I'm not pious or superstitious that I would claim that something supernatural happened but I would not dismiss any possibility that some people saw something other than me or in me.

But this is not a single occurence, of course, there are other instances that a total stranger gave me an intentional bow. In Korean culture, people just bow to strangers instead of saying "I'm sorry" or "excuse me" for stepping on your foot or has elbowed or pushed you. There must be something they see in my face which I'm not aware of. What could this be, familiarity, looking distinguished or friendliness?

What's in a face?

PRAYER

PROK Staff Morning Prayer
Scripture text: Jeremiah chapter 3
30 October 2012
By Frank Hernando

God of grace and mercy,
We thank you for this day.
As the gloomy colder days start to replace the cool bright days, our body rhythms get attuned to restrictions to agility, but provides more time for reflection and spiritual reinvigoration.

In the Scripture we hear Jeremiah's condemnation of Israel and Judah's hardheadedness to live out your covenant of justice and love amongst the people.
With this we are reminded that as your people we should choose the interest of the vast number of people rather than the wishes of the few. May your word made real in the life of your son Jesus Christ allow us to feel sorry for our weakness of self-will and unforgiving spirit. Grant us the humility to accept our faults and willing to put on a new mind and heart.

We entreat you, merciful God to strengthen us in our work for your people toward greater justice and lasting peace. Our personal and collective efforts aren't enough to change our institutions, community and the world, however confident in faith that our commitment to your service will create ripples of change to reach desperate shores.

We pray for people in our world who remain unfed and in poor conditions, those whose lives are threatened by human and natural calamities. May your saving hand rescue them wherever they may be.

We ask your blessing upon us in our work today. We pray this through Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.