July 28. 17th Sunday B.  Fr Paul decided to share on and circulate the message of Pope Francis for this special day, give a blessing to the elderly and invite grandparents and grandchildren to pray for one another.   The full message can be downloaded from www.vatican.va

  A thought from Pope Francis Message for the Day for Grandparents and Elderly 2024.                                    “Do not cast me off in my old age” (cf. Ps 71:9)  

God never abandons his children, even when our age advances and our powers decline, when our hair grows white and our role in society lessens, when our lives become less productive and can risk appearing useless. In the Bible, growing old is a sign of blessing. At the same time, in the Psalms we also find this heartfelt plea to the Lord: “In my old age do not abandon me” (cf. Ps 71:9). We find both the certainty of God’s closeness at every stage of life and the fear of abandonment, particularly in old age and in times of pain.

There are many reasons for this loneliness: children migrate or leave for a better life, some are involved in conflict. There is a conviction that the elderly are burdening the young with the high cost of social services and are diverting resources. This situation is not by chance or inevitable, but the fruit of decisions – political, economic, social and personal decisions – that fail to acknowledge the infinite dignity of each person. The elderly themselves may begin to consider themselves a burden and feel that they should step aside.

At the same time many women and men seek personal fulfilment in a life as independent as possible and detached from other people. Group memberships are in crisis and individualism is celebrated.  We have lost our “taste for fraternity.”

Using the OT example of the generosity of Ruth to remain with her mother-in-law Naomi, let us acknowledge the importance of this shared love across the generations.  Let us show tender love to the elderly and remain close to them, as they play their unique role in the family, society and the Church.

ACTION AND PRAYER.  

(See prayers and Beatitudes for Grandparents at the beginning of the reflections for the month. See also a Grandparents Blessing and Prayer from www.marfam.org.za )  

BLESSING OF GRANDPARENTS:  We pray for God’s blessing on the grandparents of our families and community:   Bless with eternal rest those grandparents who have died. Bless all grandparents with peace and contentment and an acceptance that their lives were well spent in your service. We ask St Joachim and St Anne, the grandparents of Jesus, to pray with us. In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.