state of the world

1 Samuel 3:1-10,19-20; Psalm 40 Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will; Mark 1:29-39

Recently, Pope Benedict gave his state of the world address. This is a statement of how he sees it.

In a brief overview, Pope Benedict mentioned that the denial of God distorts the freedom of the Human Person and devastates creation. In so far as nature expresses a plan of love and truth prior to us which comes from God, then we must protect creation.

In fact, it is in protecting creation we can truly begin to cultivate lasting peace. Protecting creation thus is a moral necessity.

The Pope is not only talking recycling and going green; he is speaking about the exploitation of God's good creation by greed and selfishness that leaves the world in danger and destroys human freedom and dignity.

We need to practice self-discipline.

Secondly Pope Benedict also pointed out a growing lack of respect and hostility toward christianity in many areas of the world but especially in the West, speaking of Europe and the United States along with other western countries. He noted that the political and cultural settings seem to be hostile toward christianity in particular.

He speaks of the necessity of dialogue and religious freedom.

But I suppose he also wants us to be up for the challenge of standing our ground and continually live the faith even in opposition.

Thirdly, he insists on human solidarity across the national borders. We must learn to reach beyond ourselves and be not only concerned with the plight of others, but we should put this concern into action realizing that we are all part of the one family. What we do in the west effects the east and what is done in the east effects the west. We are a global family for we have one God, "Our Father." We need to act like it.

Finally here is the last bit of the address:

"I am reminded of the words of the apostle paul, "all creation groans and is in agony" and "we ourselves groan inwardly" (Romans 8:20-23). There is so much suffering in our world, and human selfishness continues in many ways to harm creation. For this reason, the yearning for salvation which affects all creation is that much more intense and present in the hearts of all men and women, believers and nonbelievers alike.

The Church points out that the response to this aspiration is Christ, "the firstborn of all creation, for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created" (Colossians 1:15-16). Looking to him, I exhort every person of good will to work confidently and generously for the sake of human dignity and freedom.

May the light and strength of Jesus help us respect human ecology, in the knowledge that natural ecology will likewise benefit, since the book of nature is one and indivisible. In this way we will be able to build peace, today and for the sake of generations to come."