As we continue to hear news and feel effects regarding inflation, shortages of goods, etc., it is important for us as Christians not to be caught up in any spirit of fear or complaining. Taught by our Master, we know that sacrifice, when offered with love, has incredible power to sanctify us. St. Francis
of Assisi believed this so deeply, that he renounced all his possessions and even called his life of detachment "Lady Poverty" that he wished to court and marry, as a knight would court the love of his heart.

This is especially true when it comes to sacrificing material goods and attachments. Jesus told the rich young man, "If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me" (Mt 19:21). There is something incredibly freeing about cutting our attachments to material things. It frees us for greater love of God and neighbor. There is incredible wisdom in the scripture passages which encourage greater detachment from material things.

St. Paul discovered this wisdom and so was able to say, "Whatever gains I had, these I have come to consider a loss because of Christ. "...I even consider everything as a loss because of the supreme good of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have accepted the loss of all things and I consider them so
much rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in
him" (Phil 3:8-9).

As Christians, Jesus is our most precious treasure, and the more we love Him, the less important everything else becomes. In light of Jesus' words and example, our reaction to the news of the day should not be one of panic, but rather a prayer, which might sound something like this: "Jesus, how are you using these circumstances for my growth in holiness?"