Sangiorgio Gemma

"Sangiorgio Gemma"
2004, Melbourne, Australia

There is a public cemetery not far from my community. It takes only 10 minutes to get there by foot. The cemetery is quite big. It has a lot of graves, so it’s nearly impossible to count the number of graves there. From time to time I take a walk in the cemetery to reflect or to pray silently.

Some days ago, I accidentally found this baby, Sangiorgio Gemma, who had lived a single day. I don’t know who she is. Gemma’s grave was located in the midst of the old graves which looked like deserted ruins covered in wild weeds. But her tomb was very noticeable because it was so small. Just next to her, there were several other graves where babies were buried together. One Teddy bear was sitting there with withered flowers. For a moment, I imagined Gemma’s funeral ceremony which was for the one-day soul. Then, I imagined the funeral of my 33-year-old soul.

* Polaroid SX-70 land camera and Timezero film

Smile like Me, You’ll be Happy

“Smile like Me, You’ll be Happy”
2002, Batambang, Cambodia

I had several chances to stay in the Bishop Kike’s residence of Batambang Dioceses. Early morning one day, I went to out to take a walk after my morning prayer. I encountered this small boy in front of the door who was sweeping leaves and dust. When he saw me, he smiled radiantly without any hesitation! I felt enormously peaceful in my heart, because at the very moment I saw God’s smile in his face.

We are Friends!

“We are Friends!”
2003, Angsunual, Cambodia

"Bulleye!" They derided her whose eye is abnormally big.
"Cripple!" They derided her who can move only the right arm and the left big toe.

Here, a school for the handicapped, a noticeable disability in appearance was always easily scoffed, even by other handicapped students! That’s why they became good friends, loving each other, encouraging each other and supporting each other! I want to be a good friend to someone like them who knows how to read genuine beauty in other people!

BANG! BANG!

“Bang!, Bang!"
2003, Angsunual, Cambodia

BANG! BANG!
It's not a gun that he used!

BANG! BANG!
It's not a landmine that he stepped!

BANG! BANG!
It's the sound of metal collision
when he hits the balls far away from him!

BANG! BANG!
So easy! So simple! No need to think!
Enough to make him smile, despite all sufferings!

Let it be as it is

“Let it be as it is”
2001, Trofimova, Moscow, Russia

I was very lucky to spend a month in Moscow. It was July 2001. My purpose of staying there was to learn Russian and to find possibilities of ministry. One day, while I was hanging around the apartments where there was a Jesuit Community, I found a ‘white’ (not black or grey) little mouse. I started chasing the mouse with my small camera. Suddenly the mouse ran away from my sight! The mouse was obviously scared by a huge monster carrying a scary weapon! I thought it’s too much for a tiny creature. So I gave up taking picture of it then took a step backward but I was still looking around for the mouse.

After a while, the mouse finally got a sense of relief and it started strolling along the street again. Moreover, from above, some pigeons came down and accompanied it. Everything looked free and natural. Immediately I felt ashamed because I realized that I had tried to make photos for filling my desire without concerning about the order of nature.

There is freedom when freedom of others is respected. There is love when other’s way of love is respected. For this to happen, we can start with the first step: “Let it be as it is!” This is my precious lesson from the little white mouse.

Son and His Mom

“Son and His Mom”
2003, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

It was my second Easter in Cambodia. I followed a Jesuit priest who was going to a small village to celebrate Holy Thursday Mass. The village was not far from the city. I got on one of the jeep trucks with our community members. While we were on the way there, one of them quietly told me that the village was a famous prostitution area.

There was a small parish in the centre of the village. It seemed to be more of a social club than a parish. I found the statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus near the main door. It looked very old. Both hands of Jesus were missing although his arms were still intact, outstretched. I didn’t know why. But the surface was really glossy; it had been kissed and rubbed by many people. I asked myself, “What did they ask Him while they were touching Jesus?”

Jesus, standing in the middle of a prostitution village,
His mom, Mary, embracing her lovely Son,
and I, the one who living in their hearts.