The 20th century gave us a great deal of hope but in the 21st we are beginning to notice the problems of our earth. Looking over the analysis and statistics we are riding on a bus in which the breaks are giving us trouble. These are the words of a professor at the Taegu Catholic University and the head of the Human Spirituality Center in the diocese.He writes about the problems we face in this 21st century in an essay in the Catholic Times.
He wants us to look at the area of Admont around the famous abbey, the surrounding area and the whole Country of Austria with a population of 8 million-- a little smaller than South Korea. Even without trade with other countries they are self sufficient. They make efforts to maintain a clean environment, separating the trash for recycling, and the garbage, and willing to accept penalties for failure to do so.
No matter the efforts there is no guarantee they will receive what they seek for the neighboring countries influence their own efforts. They are still struggling with the refugees from the recent war in a neighboring country.
We are given certain limitations in our development and we need to keep this in mind. There are limits in space and conditions that we need to follow or we will pay a price. Buddhism and other advanced religions have seen the need for an understanding of voluntary poverty-- the simple life-- to prevent us from destroying ourselves.
Pressure is on us to make the change. He recommends we not only be attached to this earthly life, but keep our eyes on the resurrected life that Jesus has promised us, and desire it with a stronger faith. This hope will give us the strength and courage to accept the limitation of this life and do what is necessary to solve the problems with our environment.
He concludes the essay by telling us there is no need to spell out what needs to be done, for we all know deep in our hearts what is necessary, the problem is to do it.
