MINISTERS MUSINGS

February 2008 Musing

GETTING OLDER

I remember a friend who was very ‘touchy’ about her age, so much so in fact that she refused to admit to being a senior citizen even if it meant paying a concessionary rate for a ticket. Once when I was buying our entrance tickets to a bird sanctuary I requested two at the reduced rate. There was a vehement ‘no’ from behind me . The ticket seller came to my rescue. ‘You mean two ‘mature teenager’ tickets she said. My friend laughed and accepted the description and the discount.

Sadly in our culture those of advancing years are not always treated with the courtesy and consideration that is their due. When driving any distance in my car I wear a jaunty hat that conceals my silver hair. If I don’t I know that I will be ‘carved up’ or ‘tooted’ out of the way by motorists who want the bit of ground I am currently occupying. Some of the loveliest people I have met have been ‘mature teenagers’. They are an example and an inspiration to all around them. The Bible is full of good examples. Abraham set out from familiar surroundings to find a new land and found a new nation when he could well have expected to be putting his feet up. In the New Testament we read of the old man Simeon who was determined not to die until he had seen the promised Messiah, a wish which was granted when he held the infant Jesus in his arms.’Now I can go in peace’, he exclaimed in the immortal words as recorded by St Luke.

So let us be prepared to listen to and respect the wisdom and words of the elderly. They have something that youth cannot have, experience. We can remember the things we all have in common as we pray the lovely prayer of Cardinal Newman.

‘O Lord, support us all the day long of this troublesome life, ‘till the shades lengthen, the evening comes, the busy world is hushed, the fever of life is over and our work is done. The Lord, in your mercy, give us a safe lodging, a holy rest and peace at the last. ‘