When we think of our many human accomplishments, we are faced with the mystery that all our abilities and the fruit of our work are God's gift. God gave this earth and its secrets into our hands to take care of as His stewards. While we have failed in our stewardship by exploiting and abusing the earth we have, nevertheless, done much to unravel and develop the secrets of the earth. Without denying human achievements, however, the truly prudent person affirms: "It is you who have accomplished all that we have done."

We have accomplished much that has made this world a better place, particularly in the area of technology. But we fall far short of accomplishing those things which are necessary to bring the world to a level of civilization where every human being on this planet will be loved, cherished and cared for. We fall short of what Pope John Paul II has consistently referred to as "the civilization of love". Isaiah reminds us of our major shortcomings: "Salvation we have not achieved for the earth". Not only have we not achieved this salvation but it is impossible for us to achieve it . . . Isaiah reminds us: "the inhabitants of the world cannot bring it forth".