What makes people come to God?

Human beings are coming of age. Advances in science and technology have removed them from a dependence on God. Human beings are standing up on their feet, taking more of their own destiny into their own hands. Of course, man knows that technological advances are not the panacea for all evils. They are dimly aware of the pollution problems conspicuous consumption, which is made possible only by those technological advances, is bringing to the environment. This is made all the more possible with the victory of Capitalism over Planned Economy, when even some historians claim that we have reached the End of History. Most of the time, man simply brush the problem aside, thinking that everything has a price. It is alright to pay a price for the convenience we are enjoying.
Recently, people witness the severity of the "financial tsunami". Many shops are closing down. Many employees are made redundant. Unemployment looms over the heads of the employed. Nobody in the business sector is guaranteed any job security, not even the CEO himself. It is not yet the end of the world. But to declare the end of Capitalism is not too far off the mark. I am not a doomsday sayer. I believe that the end of Capitalism is not yet the end of the world. It is yet another opportunity for man to return to God.
Last time, when SARS struck, Hong Kong people were able to weather through. We have heroic doctors risking their lives to save patients and to die with them. We have learned, among other things, to treasure our family members and our health. We recognize once more the value of life. Our feet have become firmer. Therefore, I am confident that after this "financial tsunami", we will learn something more about life itself.
When we run into troubles, we will remember God. Of course, we are making the assumption that we already know and acknowledge the existence of God. This is not too unreasonable an assumption. Isaiah once said,
and many peoples shall come, and say:
"Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob;
that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths."
For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem (Isaiah 2:3).
Indeed, Jesus has also affirmed such optimism.
I tell you, many will come from east and west and sit at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 8:11).
But is this the time? Unlike the SARS saga which is life-and-death in characteristic, this "financial tsunami" is monetary. When you see people die, you will naturally think of God. But when you see people losing money, becoming redundant, will you be able to relate this experience with God? We don't know. We have to be patient, to wait and see how it evolves.

My Lord, each time You give us challenges, You want us to grow and to mature. We pray that we will be able to weather through this time of uncertainty. Meanwhile, we pray for Your Parousia. Amen.