Wisdom of old age is a beacon for future generations, pope says

Pope Francis attends the weekly general audience at the Vatican Aug. 24, 2022. (CNS photo/Guglielmo Mangiapane, Reuters) VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Elderly encounter with Jesus, who is men and women are called to waiting for me to bring me to pass on their wisdom and shine a (God).” path toward a better tomorrow “The Risen One lives in God’s for future generations, Pope world, where there is a place for Francis said. everyone, where a new earth is As one approaches the final leg being formed, and the heavenly of their mortal journey, little de- city, man’s final dwelling place, is tails, such as “a caress, a smile, a being built,” he said. gesture, an appreciated effort, A life lived according to the Gos-an unexpected surprise, a hospi- pel, he added, prepares Chris-table cheerfulness, a faithful tians for the passage into eternal bond become more acute,” and life and “puts us in tune with the what is most essential in life “becomes definitively clear to us,” the pope said Aug. 24 during his weekly general audience. “This wisdom of old age is the place of our gestation, which illuminates the lives of children, of young people, of adults, of the entire community. We, the elderly should be this for others; a light for others,” he said. In his catechesis, the final in a series of talks on old age, the pope reflected on the recent feast of the Assumption, which he said served as a reminder that “the destination is heaven.” For Christians, he explained, death is “a little like a second birth.” “If the first was a birth on earth, this second is a birth in heaven,” the pope said. “Just as, in the moment we come out of our mother’s womb, we are still ourselves, the same human being that was in the womb, so, after death, we are born to heaven, to God’s space, and we are still ourselves, who walked on this earth.” Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, the pope continued, and his subsequent appearance to his disciples are a source of hope that allows Christians to see death not as an end, but as “a kind of step toward the unprecedented destination of the life we sow.” “Our whole life appears like a seed that will have to be buried so that its flower and its fruit can be born. It will be born, along with everything else in the world. Not without labor pains, not without pain, but it will be born. And the life of the risen body will be a hundred and a thousand times more alive than we have tasted it on this earth,” the pope said. Pope Francis called on all Christians to “hope for this fullness of life that awaits us all,” that is not “a bored expectation” but rather “an expectation with eager anticipation.” “Yes, dear brothers and sisters — especially you elderly — the best of life is yet to come. ‘But we are old, what more is yet to come?’ The best, because the best of life is yet to come,” the pope said. Death may cause “a little bit of fear, because I don’t know what this passage means, and passing through that door causes a little fear, but there is always the hand of the Lord that carries us forward, and beyond the door there is a feast,” he said. ❖

MAKING THE WORD OF GOD YOUR OWN Step 1: Look at today’s Readings prayerfully. 1st Reading: Praise is given to the person who is humble. A humble person is open to God and never rejects wisdom, no matter where it comes from. 2nd Reading: While Mount Sinai was the place where the old covenant was made, Mount Zion stands for the heavenly Jerusalem. There all those of the new covenant are equal in dignity. Gospel: In today’s Gospel, Jesus urges his followers not to covet places of honour but to always act unselfishly. Step 2: Applying the values of the Readings to your daily life. 1.What do you think is the wisdom in the advice to

“be gentle in carrying out your business and you will be better loved than a lavish giver”? Is this the way the world thinks today? 2.Jesus tells us to invite the beggars, the crippled, the lame and the blind. Whom do you consider to be the beggar, the crippled, the lame and the blind in your neighbourhood, your workplace, and your church community? 3.How does the Gospel challenge whom you welcome into your life, in your family, in your workplace, in your parish community? 4.What do you consider to be the things that give you a false sense of importance and superiority and which separate you from others? Step 3: Accepting the message of God’s Word in your life of faith. To give is not a luxury for a Christian. It is our first and basic duty as followers of Christ. It is something so obvious that we shouldn’t even have to talk about it. The Christian idea of giving is when the giver doesn’t know to whom he or she is giving and when the receiver doesn’t know from whom he or she is receiving. Step 4: Something to think & pray about 1.List all the things you need to do, to let go of, to change or to put in order of priority in your life in order to live the Gospel this coming week. 2.Write out what you consider to be the characteristics of Christian giving. Talk to someone (a friend, a spouse, a fellow worker, your children) about these characteristics. 3.Make a great effort to let humility be your motto in dealing with others, starting this coming week.❖ [From: Journeying with the Word of God, The Religious Education Department, Diocese of Georgetown, Guyana ]

than you may have been invited, and the person who invited you both may come and say, “Give up your place to this man.” And then, to your embarrassment, you would have to go and take the lowest place. No; when you are a guest, make your way to the lowest place and sit there, so that, when your host comes, he may say, “My friend, move up higher.” In that way, everyone with you at the table will see you honoured. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the man who humbles himself will be exalted.’ Then he said to his host, ‘When you give a lunch or a dinner, do not ask your friends, brothers, relations or rich neighbours, for fear they repay your courtesy by inviting you in return. No; when you have a party, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; that they cannot pay you back means that you are fortunate, because repayment will be made to you when the virtuous rise again.’

A Short Reflection can be given or a period of silent reflection

• Comfortable seating, place in a semicircle if possible. • A table with a candle, crucifix or image of Jesus, • Identify family members who will proclaim the

Scripture and perhaps give a brief reflection. • Select 2 or 3 hymns that everyone knows LEADER: In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen “In truth I tell you once again, if two of you on earth agree to ask anything at all, it will be granted to you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three meet in my name, I am there among them.” (Mt: 18:19-20) The Candle is now lit LEADER: Honour, prestige and social status are attitudes we sometimes seek, the Lord warns that this is not the Christian way. Let us ask his forgiveness. (PAUSE) Lord Jesus, you came among us not to be served but to serve; Lord, have mercy. Christ Jesus, you invite everyone to the table of your festive meal; Christ, have mercy. Lord Jesus, you exalt the humble of heart and humble the proudhearted; Lord, have mercy. LEADER: Have mercy on us, Lord, and forgive us our pride; free us from the urge to be recognized and honoured and lead us to everlasting life Amen. LEADER: Let us Pray: God and judge of all, you show us that the way to your kingdom is through humility and service. Enable us to renounce the quest for power and privilege. Let us always honour the presence of your Son in the little and the lowly, recognizing in them our sisters and brothers whom you welcome to your table. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen. READINGS –1st Reading is taken from Ecclesiasticus 3:19-21,30-31 Responsorial Psalm – 67:4-7,10-11 2nd Reading is taken from Hebrews 12:18-19,22-24 GOSPEL (Luke 14:1,7-14)

On a sabbath day Jesus had gone for a meal to the house of one of the leading Pharisees; and they watched him closely. He then told the guests a parable, because he had noticed how they picked the places of honour. He said this, ‘When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take your seat in the place of honour. A more distinguished person

LEADER: With those considered the last and least in society, let us bring our prayers and petitions before the Lord who hears the cries of the poor. Family members are invited to make their petitions.

As children of God, let us pray to him in the words of Jesus his Son: Our Father...... LEADER: Jesus invites us to the table which he has prepared for the weak and the poor. Though we cannot receive him today let us invite him into our hearts as we pray the Act of Spiritual Communion

My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love you above all things, and I desire to receive you into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive you sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace you as if you were already there and unite myself wholly to you. Never permit me to be separated from you. Amen LEADER: Let us pray: Hear us, O Jesus, meek and humble of heart. Deliver us, Jesus, from the desire of being honoured, from the desire of being praised, from the desire of being preferred to others, from the desire of being consulted. Deliver us, Jesus, from the fear of being humiliated, from the fear of being despised, from the fear of suffering rebukes, from the fear of being forgotten, from the fear of being ridiculed, from the fear of being wronged. Jesus, grant us the grace to desire to be humble in all that we do. Amen.

May God the Father, who invites us to his heavenly kingdom, strengthen us in his love. Amen May God the Son, from whom all good things come, sustain us in our faith. Amen. May God the Holy Spirit, who raises up those who are bowed down, lead us to ever greater hope. Amen. And may almighty God bless us; In the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.❖