The purpose is for us as an individual and as a society to get out of our comfort zones, so that we can realize our true potentials and to enrich our souls in the process.
When a civilization diverts to a purpose of safety and personal comfort and satisfaction, nature intervenes. Look at what happened to the Romans, when they were conquering the world as an empire, it seems that God was with them. Compare this to the era when Rome”s concern was the just the republic, and all its internal affairs whether legislative or improving their city for pride and vanity. hindi ba’t their civilization crumbled and then came the dark ages.
In 2010, when a major Icelandic volcano erupted, The Vatican was very very concerned at that time coz they were afraid that the eruption could be Dark Ages Part 2. A Dark cloud that will cover Europe and neighboring states that can last centuries.
Volcano's impact felt in Iceland, bishop says
Crisis hangs over pope in Malta like volcanic ash | National Catholic Reporter