Deacon Tom Writes :13th February 2022

Dear Friends,

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 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 be a huge challenge.

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’ ought to become a new way of living. Putting our faith in the Lord who teaches us a righteous way of living that liberates us.

Jesus reminds us that he is the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14: 6)