(written in 2008)
I enjoy climbing mountains very much, but I'm not even able to climb even a small hill these days because of all the work I have to do. Then, all of a sudden, I looked up at the autumn sky and the ridge of the mountain while visiting my mother's home.
The green leaves have all turned yellow, red, and brown. The maple is embroidered with both green and red leaves. Looking at the top of the mountain among the buildings in the city, I realized I'm living in such a beautiful and lovely country. I think our nature has more harmonious beauty than other countries.
Appreciating such natural beauty of transformation and graduation, Catholics celebrate November as the month for the dead. So we remember the souls and the saints who are constantly guarding us in Heaven. Early in November, we visit, pray and spiritually pay homage to the dead relatives and ancients.
We are always facing the change of four seasons. In our lovely country, with its variety of nature, we still have much water, light, and energy. We have to import oil but still spend a lot of energy. Sometimes it seems that we have plenty of energy in spite of the economic situation, and I appreciate the abundance in our blessed country.
Looking here and there, our country is surrounded by various splendid flowers, plants, trees, fields, streams, and mountains. Nature is neither steep nor wild; it is so lovely and harmonious, full of life and vitality. We are truly blessed with the beauty of nature. Much water still flows from the top of the mountain.
However, the whole earth is suffering little by little from the lack of energy and water. The earth is warming more and more, and natural disasters continually happen around the world. Water in particular is running out in some places.
One thing I noticed in Frankfurt, Germany is that train doors have open and close buttons. When I have to either get on or off, I have to press the button in the middle of the door. Otherwise, the door isn't opened in spite of stopping at the station. This little thing tells much about how Germans save energy.
In Korea, it's quite different. No matter how few people get on or get off the subway, every door is widely opened immediately until the next departure. Just imagine every door doing the same in the whole city. Even early in November, some subway is steamy inside. One day, I felt so warm that I wanted to go to tell the subway director.
We are living in such abundance. We were poor and miserable long ago, but it seems we've forgotten our past. I think we have to be conscious of the situation of the world in daily life and save energy in spite of being in abundance.
We, religious sisters and brothers, take vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience. The virtue of poverty, the merit to choose a more simple, frugal, and disciplined life, leads us to inner freedom, spiritual life, and contemplation.
Nowadays, we often talk about simple but deep life. Simplicity is one of the themes many books deal with. I still remember H. D. Thoreau saying 'Simplify, simplify' in Walden. While being in abundance, let's save nature and energy.
https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/opinion/2008/11/137_34442.html
The
Korea Times/ Thoughts of the Times/ November 15, 2008
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