麻豆社

Good morning. As the weather turns cold our thoughts inevitably turn to the end of year festivities but this year these will be tinged with the knowledge that for many winter will be a real struggle due to the cost-of-living crisis. Whilst we have heard of measures in the budget to address and safeguard the most vulnerable, inevitably more help will still be needed. Charities and faith communities will try and fill the gap, but they are also feeling the impact.
Increasing costs have meant food banks are helping more people, many of whom have never turned to them for support before. Charities have warned that food banks are at 鈥渂reaking point鈥� what's been described as a 鈥渢sunami of need鈥� and because people are giving less to charity as their disposable incomes fall.

In the Sikh religion two of the key theological teachings are sewa and vand chakana - which mean selfless service and sharing with others. The social engagement that they encourage enables spiritual growth and aids moral and ethical living.

A distinctive Sikh activity of sewa is the shared meal of langar. Gurdwaras serve langar to Sikhs and non-Sikhs, performing a function similar to food banks and soup kitchens Such work is funded by donations and staffed by an army of volunteers. However, just as is the case with other charities the cost of keeping the langar kitchens going is proving very difficult in the wake of rising costs and a surge in demand. And there are fewer volunteers as they work more to make ends meet.

As a Sikh, I take heart and direction from a story about Guru Nanak. His father once gave him some money and told him to go away and invest in a good business. On his journey Guru Nanak came across some people who had not eaten for days and he spent the money he had been given on feeding and clothing them. Upon return, his father asked him what business he had done, and Guru Nanak replied 鈥楩ather, you asked me to invest in a worthwhile business, what better investment is there than serving the needy and devout?鈥�

Guru Nanak鈥檚 life illustrates his concern and commitment to serving everyone, especially the less fortunate because of the oneness of humanity. We all need to work together to support the vulnerable, but also build resilience in our communities so that no one feels alone. As Guru Nanak teaches us: "One who engages in inspired-service is the best kind of servant. We are not good, and no one is bad 鈥� all are equal.'

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