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In the beginning, I was hesitant because I thought talking in public was not my mission. During the feast of the Pentecost, however, I chose "fortitude" (courage) as the gift of the Spirit. All of a sudden, I felt a specific inner power to challenge myself. Why not try? I thought it was a good chance and a gift from God.
As a point of reference, I chose the topic of "how should I live in this moment," especially in the post-pandemic era. There have already been many suggestions and various countermeasures regarding "how to live after the pandemic."
Various "ecological transformations" are actually taking place in different areas of life, such as saving the planet's ecosystem, eco-friendly campaigns, water conservation, less airplane travel, reducing marine waste, not using plastic materials, recycling, avoiding overseas pilgrimages, attending Zoom meetings or online lectures, discuss convergence and consilience, using hydrogen cars, attending to the cries of Mother Earth and the destruction of the creative order, etc.
In summary, during the lecture, I suggested three main points that I myself put into practice every day.
First, reading the Bible, the Pope's messages and spiritual books.
Second, giving thanks all the time and everywhere, as recommended in the first letter to Thessalonians 5:16-18, "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances."
Third, faithfully doing our best in this moment as if it is the last moment. I quite agree with a saying: "Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree."
Pope Francis has already presented various documents on ecological transformations and turns in "Laudato Si'" (Praise Be to You, My Lord, 2015), "Nostra Madre Terra" (Our Mother Earth, 2019), "Querida Amazonia" (Beloved Amazon, 2020), and "Fratelli Tutti" (All Brothers, 2021).
Reading many spiritual books written in a concrete and persuasive way offers clear insight into the question, "how should I live in this era?" Reading books also helps us to respond actively to the signs of the times.
Especially in article 17 of "Gaudete et Exsultate" (Rejoice and Be Glad, 2018), Pope Francis says: "At times, life presents great challenges. Through them, the Lord calls us anew to a conversion that can make his grace more evident in our lives …. 'There are inspirations that tend solely to perfect in an extraordinary way the ordinary things we do in life.' When Cardinal Francois-Xavier Nguyen van Thuan was imprisoned, he refused to waste time waiting for the day he would be set free. Instead, he chose 'to live the present moment, filling it to the brim with love.' He decided: 'I will seize the occasions that present themselves every day; I will accomplish ordinary actions in an extraordinary way.'"
Surely, doing ordinary actions in an extraordinary way will save the Earth.
The author is a member of the Daughters of St. Paul (fsp.pauline.or.kr.) living and giving the Good News to the world by means of social communication.
