麻豆社

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What do we mean by growth? Justin Webb put exactly that question to two economists at the end of Thursday鈥檚 Today programme. A fascinating philosophical debate ensued: do we measure growth properly? Should we even be pursuing it? Growth, of course, doesn鈥檛 always mean more.

One of the contributors to that debate Kate Rayworth suggested that 鈥渨hen economies go for growth as a goal, the health of communities and the living planet become collateral damage.鈥�

It was the phrase 鈥渉ealth of communities鈥� that struck me most. As a priest, I鈥檓 aware that many people of all ages and backgrounds are more concerned than ever before about maintaining the status quo. Being able to heat their homes, feed themselves and their children whilst also helping others, are key priorities in what for them might make a healthy community.

As far as young people are concerned there has been huge growth during recent times in their awareness of the perils facing the planet. Throughout a series of harvest festival services, I鈥檝e led this week, the refrain has been clear: in order to grow we have to learn lessons from the past and be better stewards of the living planet. They are extraordinarily encouraging voices.

For me, the Christian pilgrimage is about a very specific kind of growth. Since the pandemic, and even before, more and more people have spoken openly about wanting to grow spiritually, and to think about what is really important to them.

The thrust of Jesus鈥� teaching for me pinpoints the importance not of material success but of growing inwardly. Christians are to be not only faithful stewards and good neighbours but also agents for change, bringing health and hope to others that they also might grow.

Material needs must of course be met. But what makes us tick inside also matters 鈥�..those hard to articulate concerns we harbour which too easily inhibit spiritual growth.

The late Cardinal Hume described growing the spiritual life as 鈥渁 test as to how we grow in our desire to see, to know and to love.鈥� It鈥檚 a test worth facing up to in these extraordinary times.

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