Christian thought

It cannot have escaped anyone’s attention that the cost of living is becoming more and more expensive.

It seems that every shopping trip is increasing day by day whether it is due to shortages, inflation or whatever. The increase in petrol/diesel, the very concerning rise in energy costs of recent months with an even steeper rise this coming April will affect us all, not least those who are already struggling to make ends meet.

In short, life is becoming more and more difficult. Such difficulties impact on the quality of life for all but those with substantial incomes.

Such difficulties will cause more and more families to fall into depravation or poverty. The effect on the wellbeing of individuals, families, businesses and the economy will grow. What are the answers to all of these challenges facing us? In our material living we may all have to accept a lower standard of living, giving consideration to the basic needs of life without the excesses many of us have become used to. To purchase what we need rather than what we want.

The saying ‘every cloud has a silver lining’, would seem rather trite at such times as these facing us,however there may be some truth in this in our present predicament.

The ‘silver lining’ in this present situation may be that we are called to focus on what is most important in our lives, what it is that brings true happiness, true peace of mind, to help us through life.

To consider whether ‘less is more’. To look to the plight of others worse off than ourselves. To ‘live simply so that others may simply live’ may become a new way of living. Putting our faith in a more spiritual nature; towards faith in a spiritual being, to inform us of a new way that liberates us.

DEACONTOM StJohn the Evangelist Catholic

Church